‘BRS trying to defame Cong govt’: Telangana minister hits back after row over CM Revanth Reddy’s Hitler remark

Telangana Minister Condemns BRS for Disparaging Congress Government Amid Hitler Remark Controversy

BRS trying to defame Cong govt – Following a recent uproar over Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s comparison of his administration to Hitler, Telangana Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu has accused the BRS party of attempting to defame the Congress-led government. The minister’s sharp rebuttal comes amid growing political tension, as the BRS sought to portray Revanth Reddy’s remarks as an attack on the Congress’s governance model.

Context of the Controversy

Revanth Reddy’s statement, which likened the efficiency of his anti-encroachment measures to Hitler’s authoritarianism, sparked immediate backlash. Critics argued that the comparison undermined the Congress’s image, while supporters defended it as a bold assertion of determination. Babu, who has been vocal about the state’s land management policies, reiterated that the BRS’s focus on discrediting the Congress government has intensified since the remark.

The minister emphasized that Revanth Reddy’s intent was to highlight the urgency of enforcing laws against land occupation, particularly in urban areas. He stated that the creation of HYDRAA (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency) was a response to rampant encroachments threatening public infrastructure and water resources. “This agency was not meant to mimic Hitler’s methods, but to deliver results with relentless efficiency,” Babu said during a press conference, underscoring the BRS’s role in amplifying the controversy.

Political Reactions and Implications

Revanth Reddy, in a video statement, defended his comparison by asserting that he aimed to inspire action, not fear. “I aspired to embody Hitler’s resolve. We will act with the same intensity, even surpassing his grandfather’s, if government funds are misused,” he declared. This bold stance, however, drew sharp criticism from the BRS’s senior leader, K T Rama Rao, who accused the Congress of being “authoritarian and fascist” for using such a potent historical reference.

The incident has also reignited debates about the role of HYDRAA in Telangana’s governance. Revanth Reddy explained during a Bengaluru event that the agency was established to address the issue of land encroachments, which he claimed had reached critical levels. “While the less fortunate may occupy water sources due to necessity, the affluent are now doing so for luxury homes and drainage systems. These observations led me to create HYDRAA as a task force,” he stated, linking the policy to the BRS’s broader critique of the Congress government.

Babu further questioned the democratic practices of the BRS-led administration, citing past allegations of phone-tapping and restricted public access to the Secretariat under former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. He contrasted these allegations with the current Congress-led government’s transparency, suggesting that the BRS’s criticism was politically motivated. “The BRS is trying to defame Cong govt by twisting the narrative around efficiency into a symbol of tyranny,” Babu remarked, highlighting the ongoing struggle between the two parties.

As the controversy escalates, the remarks have become a focal point in the state’s political discourse. Analysts note that the BRS’s campaign to associate the Congress with Hitler’s regime reflects its strategy to position itself as the defender of democratic values. Meanwhile, the Congress government faces pressure to justify its policies while countering accusations of authoritarianism. The incident underscores the deepening polarization and the use of historical references to shape public perception in Telangana’s political landscape.