Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Congress Challenges KTR’s Claims on Telangana Power History
Congress leaders in Telangana criticized K.T. Rama Rao, who is known as KTR, over his comments about electricity and drought.
They said he should know more about the history of power protests in the state.
One leader said K. Chandrashekar Rao was still in the Telugu Desam Party when the Basheerbagh firing happened in 2000.
He said KCR left that party in 2001.
Congress leaders also accused the earlier BRS government of creating large debts for electricity distribution companies.
They alleged problems with some electricity purchases and power-plant contracts.
These claims were presented by Congress and were not independently established in the article.
Another Congress leader said KTR was trying to shift attention away from alleged land irregularities.
Congress also said El Niño conditions should be considered when discussing drought and power difficulties.
Congress leaders accused BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao of lacking knowledge about Telangana’s power-agitation history.
Bhongir MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy said K. Chandrashekar Rao was with the TDP during the 2000 Basheerbagh firing and left the party in 2001.
Reddy alleged that the previous BRS government left DISCOMs with about ₹81,000 crore in accumulated debt.
Congress leaders alleged irregularities in power procurement from Chhattisgarh and in the Bhadradri and Yadadri thermal power projects.
Government leaders accused KTR of diverting attention from alleged land-deal irregularities and cited El Niño conditions in discussing drought and power problems.
- Who
- Congress leaders, including Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, Balmoor Venkat and Addanki Dayakar, criticized BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao.
- What
- They challenged KTR’s remarks on Telangana’s power history, electricity supply and drought, while alleging financial and contractual irregularities under the previous BRS government.
- When
- The criticism was reported on Wednesday; the Basheerbagh firing referenced by Congress occurred in 2000, and KCR left the TDP in 2001.
- Where
- Hyderabad and Telangana.
- Why
- Congress leaders said KTR’s remarks were historically inaccurate and alleged he was diverting attention from power-sector and land-deal allegations.
Congress leaders’ allegations
KTR and BRS position
Power-sector record
Congress leaders’ allegations
Congress alleged that the previous BRS government contributed to DISCOM debt, made an unnecessarily costly Chhattisgarh power purchase and mishandled power-project contracts.
KTR and BRS position
KTR criticized the state government’s handling of power supply and drought conditions; the article does not provide a detailed BRS response to Congress’s allegations.
Telangana power history
Congress leaders’ allegations
Congress said KTR was historically inaccurate and argued that KCR remained in the TDP during the 2000 Basheerbagh firing before leaving in 2001.
KTR and BRS position
KTR highlighted KCR’s role in the electricity movement, according to Congress’s account, but the article does not include his detailed historical explanation.
Political motivation
Congress leaders’ allegations
Congress leaders accused KTR of using the power issue to divert attention from alleged land-deal irregularities during the previous BRS regime.
KTR and BRS position
KTR’s reported focus was on power supply, drought and the government’s handling of the situation; the article does not state his response to the diversion allegation.
- Main dispute
- Congress leaders challenged KTR’s statements about power supply, drought and Telangana’s electricity agitations.
- Basheerbagh reference
- Congress said KCR was still associated with the TDP during the 2000 Basheerbagh firing.
- KCR’s TDP departure
- Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy said KCR left the TDP in 2001 after being offered the Deputy Speaker’s post instead of a ministerial position.
- DISCOM debt allegation
- Congress alleged that the previous BRS government left power distribution companies with about ₹81,000 crore in accumulated debt.
- Chhattisgarh power purchase
- Congress alleged irregularities in an agreement to purchase 1,000 MW of electricity from Chhattisgarh.
- Power projects
- Congress alleged losses at the Bhadradri plant and irregularities in awarding the Yadadri project to BHEL through nomination.
- Environmental context
- Addanki Dayakar said prevailing El Niño conditions should be considered when assessing drought and power-related difficulties.