Telangana Minister KTR Hits Back At Rahul Gandhi Over Paddy Procurement Issue

Rama Rao listed the steps taken by the TRS government for the welfare of farmers and claimed that it delivered in seven years what Congress governments could not deliver in 50 years

Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao (Image: ABP Desam)

New Delhi: Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) working president KT Rama Rao has hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his criticism of the TRS government over the paddy procurement issue.

Rama Rao listed the steps taken by the TRS government for the welfare of farmers and claimed that it delivered in seven years what Congress governments could not deliver in 50 years.

"Your party has been given opportunity to govern this country for over 50+ years. When in power INC couldn't provide even 6 hours of electricity to farmers causing distress and suicides in Telangana," tweeted KTR, as Rama Rao is popularly known.

Firstly, INC should apologise to the farmers of this nation on neglecting them for decades

Second, redirect your criticism at those in power in Delhi who refuse to buy rice from Telangana despite our repeated requests

You are clearly misinformed & misguided on ground realities

— KTR (@KTRTRS) March 29, 2022

He was reacting to a tweet by Rahul Gandhi, who alleged that the BJP government at the Centre and TRS government in the state were playing politics over farmers' issues and escaping from their moral duty to procure paddy from farmers.

Information Technology, Industries, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KTR, who is the son of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, claimed that with innovative schemes like Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bhima, Mission Kakatiya, 24 hours of free power supply and with focus on irrigation, the Chandrasekhar Rao government has ushered in an agricultural revolution.

"What your party couldn't deliver in 50 years, our Govt has delivered in 7 years. Comparing the performance of TRS Govt with past INC Govts will put your party to shame," wrote the TRS leader.

Rahul Gandhi's tweets had Tuesday sparked a war of words between CM KCR's daughter K Kavitha and Congress MP in-charge of Telangana Manickam Tagore.

Kavitha, who is a member of State Legislative Council, had advised Rahul Gandhi not to just resort to tweets for political mileage but extend support to the TRS demand for uniform procurement policy for the entire country.

Manickam Tagore hit back at Kavitha, asking her not to play with Telangana farmers by 'one nation one procurement' demand. He reminded Kavitha that she was defeated in the Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency in 2019 as she couldn't keep the promise made to farmers of setting up a turmeric board.

Tagore warned Kavitha that "if TRS will play with farmers, then it will meet the same fate in 2023 as she did
Nizamabad".

Kavitha then hit back, this time targeting Rahul Gandhi. "This arrogance reduced your party into double digits in the same Parliament. Win or lose, I did not run away from my constituency as your ex-CP Rahul Gandhi did. Also, I did not contest two seats like your ex-CP," the former MP said, tagging Rahul Gandhi.

(With IANS inputs)