KTR Faces Public Debate Challenge Over Telangana's Debt Crisis

Hyderabad: In a sharp political confrontation, Telangana Tourism, Culture and Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao has thrown down the gauntlet to BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao, demanding a public debate on the state's debt situation and refuting accusations leveled against the Congress government.

Speaking at the Congress Legislative Party media centre in the Assembly on Wednesday, Jupally Krishna Rao—flanked by MLAs Veerapalli Shankar and Rajesh Reddy—launched a scathing attack on the opposition leader, contending that he has been spreading misinformation among voters through unsubstantiated claims.

The minister categorically rejected charges that the government has earmarked ₹200 crore for the Chief Minister's camp office, dismissing them as baseless.

At the heart of the dispute lies the question of Telangana's fiscal burden. Jupally Krishna Rao asserted that the BRS administration, which preceded the current Congress government, had saddled the state with debt surpassing ₹8 lakh crore. He extended an invitation to K.T. Rama Rao to engage in a head-to-head public discussion to substantiate these figures.

Underscoring his conviction in the accuracy of his claims, Jupally Krishna Rao declared his readiness to step down from his Assembly seat should his debt projections prove erroneous. He has similarly challenged the BRS working president to accept the debate proposition.

The minister took aim at what he characterized as groundless allegations emanating from the opposition, urging K.T. Rama Rao to desist from such attacks on the Congress government. Expressing optimism about the party's electoral prospects, Jupally Krishna Rao voiced confidence that Congress would secure victory in the forthcoming Telangana Assembly elections. He expressed faith that the electorate would not be swayed by partisan charges and accusations.