One year in office, Revanth government stares at challenge to fulfil promises, maintain initial euphoria & momentum

Hyderabad: As the Congress government in Telangana marks its one-year anniversary on December 7, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is struggling to fulfil the party’s pre-poll promises.

Revanth achieved a historic victory in 2023 by trouncing the BRS and assuming power for the first time since Telangana’s formation in 2014. Telangana was the second state in South India in the last few years — after Karnataka — where the Congress wrested power.

Congress leaders viewed the victory as a fitting birthday gift for Sonia Gandhi, as the party-led UPA government, under which Telangana was created, failed to secure a political advantage in the two polls held in 2014 and 2018.

In addition to the six guarantees, the Congress manifesto pledged to waive farm loans of up to Rs 2 lakh each, increase the Rythu Bandhu farm support benefit from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per year, and include tenant farmers in the scheme.

Farmers have yet to receive the Rythu Bandhu benefits, and Revanth on Sunday said the final farm loan waiver tranche would be implemented after Sankranthi next year.

Except for LPG cylinders for Rs 500, free travel for women on RTC buses, and households receiving 200 units of free electricity, the majority of the “guarantees” are still on paper.

The demolitions by HYDRA and the Musi Rejuvenation Project dented the Congress government’s image in the Hyderabad region.

“It’s quite visible that the Congress’ initial euphoria and momentum have waned. Instead of celebrating a year in office by organising events, the Congress should introspect on the unfulfilled promises,” noted political analyst Telakapalli Ravi — also a senior journalist in both Telugu states — told DH.

“Revanth Reddy became the CM amid high expectations, which he has seemingly failed to meet. The Congress should make tremendous efforts in the next four years: It has a significant opportunity to enhance its reputation through improved governance,” he added.

“The Congress cadre’s and leaders’ is already low due to consecutive national-level setbacks due to recent failures in Haryana and Maharashtra,” he noted.

Another analyst said the BRS MLAs’ lack of interest in joining the Congress reflected the negative perception of the ruling party.

“Everyone expected it, and even Congress leaders spoke as if all BRS MLAs would join the party as they didn’t see any future for the regional outfit. A year later, only a handful — 11 of the total 38 BRS MLAs — have joined the Congress,” said the analyst.

“The remaining MLAs have now adopted a wait-and-watch approach due to the rapidly-changing on-ground conditions,” noted the expert.