Did KTR Accept CM Revanth Reddy's Debate Challenge?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- KTR's challenge acceptance highlights ongoing farmer issues.
- The lack of response from CM Revanth Reddy raises questions about accountability.
- Increased police presence indicates the significance of the debate.
- Allegations of 600 farmer suicides reflect serious concerns.
- Political dynamics in Telangana are increasingly tense.
Hyderabad, July 8 (NationPress) Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao arrived at the Somajiguda Press Club in Hyderabad on Tuesday to engage in a public debate with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy concerning issues faced by farmers.
Rama Rao, who accepted the challenge posed by the Chief Minister, attended the Press Club accompanied by several party officials.
During his remarks to the party members, he accused the Chief Minister of evading the debate after issuing the challenge.
"We have learned that the Chief Minister is currently in Delhi. We were prepared to debate with the Deputy Chief Minister, Agriculture Minister, or any other Minister, yet no one showed up," he stated.
He claimed that 600 farmers have taken their lives in the past 18 months. He asserted that the Congress party betrayed the people after assuming power, having made 420 promises and six guarantees.
KTR claimed to have brought documentation of farmers who committed suicide, whose loans remained unpaid, and those who did not receive bonuses or financial assistance under Rythu Bharosa.
Highlighting that water, funds, and employment were critical issues during the Telangana movement, KTR alleged that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is diverting river waters to his ally, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, sending funds to Delhi, and providing jobs to his acquaintances.
In response to reports about Revanth Reddy's trip to Delhi to obtain "fertiliser bags" for the state, the BRS leader quipped, "People are aware of what bags he is taking to Delhi to preserve his position."
In anticipation of a significant gathering of BRS leaders and supporters, police increased security at the Press Club.
Before departing for the Press Club, KTR informed the media at the BRS office, Telangana Bhavan, that he was ready to debate topics such as farm loan waivers, paddy bonuses, and all other farmer-related issues.
On July 4, during a meeting with Congress workers in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the Chief Minister challenged for a public debate on the actions of the previous BRS government versus the current Congress government regarding farmer welfare.
In response to the challenge, KTR proposed to meet at any location designated by the Chief Minister—be it in CM Reddy's constituency of Kodangal, his village of Kondareddypally, or even at the Ambedkar statue or Somajiguda Press Club. When no response was received from the Chief Minister, the BRS leader declared his readiness for a debate at the Press Club.
KTR remarked that it has become a pattern for the Chief Minister to evade debates after issuing challenges.
He reiterated his willingness to engage in a debate on any issue with the Chief Minister.
KTR added that they were open to debating even in the Assembly, provided their microphones were not silenced.
The former minister accused the Congress government of failing to fulfill even one of its 420 electoral promises. He stated that the BRS has been questioning the government for the past 18 months regarding its unmet commitments.