Bhuvanagiri MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy on Wednesday countered BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao’s criticism of the State government’s handling of the power sector, accusing the opposition party of politicising issues affecting farmers.
Reacting to Mr. Rama Rao’s decision to send six BRS teams to inspect power stations, the Congress MP alleged that the move was intended to create a false impression of a power crisis. He rejected BRS claims on the sector’s achievements and asserted that free power for farmers was a Congress initiative.
Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy alleged that the BRS government left power distribution companies burdened with debts of nearly ₹81,000 crore and questioned the purchase of 1,000 MW of power from Chhattisgarh, claiming cheaper alternatives were available. He also alleged irregularities in major power projects, including the Bhadradri Thermal Power Plant and the Yadadri project, accusing the previous government of favouring nomination-based contracts and causing financial losses.
Defending the Congress government, the MP said the impact of El Niño-induced drought conditions was being felt across the country and accused the BRS of blaming the government for weather-related challenges. He alleged that the opposition was attempting to provoke farmers for political gain.
Stating that the government was working to ensure continuous power supply to farmers and consumers, Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy said efforts were also being made to encourage crop diversification. He warned that details of alleged irregularities during the BRS regime would be made public and accused the previous government of turning a surplus State into a debt-ridden one during its decade in power.
