Congress Leaders Press BJP to Address Agricultural Concerns Rather Than Personal Attacks

Hyderabad: Congress leaders have mounted a pointed critique of the BJP, urging the party to prioritise agricultural matters and public welfare over personal attacks on state leadership.

At a press conference held at Gandhi Bhavan on Tuesday, State Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar took aim at BJP MP Dharmapuri Arvind for levelling personal remarks against Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. Alongside Rajya Sabha member Anil Kumar Yadav, Laxman Kumar argued that elected representatives should concentrate on substantive policy matters affecting citizens rather than targeting individuals.

The minister pointed to what he characterised as a conspicuous silence from BJP ranks on pressing agricultural concerns. He specifically cited the lack of discussion around paddy procurement, support for maize farmers, and broader agricultural challenges facing the state. Laxman Kumar issued a direct challenge to Dharmapuri Arvind, asking him to engage with the central government to secure remunerative prices for maize cultivators.

Laxman Kumar questioned the trajectory of Arvind's political career, noting that he had previously advanced through the Congress party before joining the BJP. He suggested that the current attacks on Congress leadership reflected political disenchantment rather than principled opposition.

The minister drew a contrast between Congress's functioning through democratic processes and what he characterised as other parties operating under directives from Nagpur. He also objected to Arvind's comments regarding Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's family members, countering by asking whether Congress leaders should similarly highlight alleged improprieties involving Arvind's family in Nizamabad.

Laxman Kumar highlighted Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's political ascent from grassroots activism through positions as MLA, MP, Telangana Congress president, and ultimately Chief Minister—all achieved through popular support. He further pressed the question of why Dharmapuri Arvind had not raised paddy stock surpluses and farmer distress with Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the Union Agriculture Ministry, despite the severity of these challenges across Telangana.

The minister also demanded that BRS leader G. Jagadish Reddy substantiate his allegations that certain Congress leaders maintained contact with the BRS by naming specific individuals.

Rajya Sabha member Anil Kumar Yadav echoed the criticism, characterising Dharmapuri Arvind's remarks as unwarranted and accusing BJP leaders of disregarding public priorities. He suggested the BJP should resolve its own internal conflicts rather than directing criticism outward, and recalled that Congress had previously extended significant positions to Arvind's father.

Yadav also turned his attention to the BJP-led central government, criticising rising petrol and diesel prices and questioning why citizens were bearing the burden of what he termed policy failures.