BRS Slams Congress for 'Baseless' Allegations Against Harish Rao

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on Wednesday accused the ruling Congress government in Telangana of engineering political controversies to divert public attention from its alleged governance failures and unfulfilled electoral promises, as the war of words between the two parties intensified over remarks targeting former minister T. Harish Rao.

Addressing the media, BRS spokesperson Ravula Sridhar Reddy strongly condemned comments made by Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Bomma Mahesh Kumar Goud, who had alleged that Harish Rao was involved in "kshudra puja" (occult rituals). Describing the accusations as baseless, irresponsible and politically motivated, Sridhar Reddy said the Congress was attempting to malign the image of a senior opposition leader instead of focusing on governance.

He alleged that whenever the state government comes under pressure over administrative shortcomings or is questioned over the implementation of its election promises, it chooses to create unnecessary political distractions. According to him, the ruling party was resorting to personal attacks to undermine Harish Rao, who served as a cabinet minister for nearly a decade.

Throwing a challenge to the Congress leadership, Sridhar Reddy said that if the party possessed any credible evidence to support its allegations, it should present it before the police or the courts rather than making public accusations. He maintained that political debate should be based on verifiable facts and not speculative claims.

The BRS leader also urged Mahesh Kumar Goud to focus on resolving issues within the Congress instead of targeting opposition leaders. Taking a swipe at the ruling party, he claimed that Congress leaders were preoccupied with internal factionalism and leadership rivalries, while ignoring pressing public concerns. He expressed confidence that the people of Telangana were politically aware enough to recognise attempts to divert attention through sensational controversies.

The controversy erupted after Mahesh Kumar Goud criticised Harish Rao over the alleged occult rituals, saying such practices were unbecoming of an educated leader and former minister. He asserted that the people of Telangana do not believe in superstitions and urged opposition parties to move away from negative politics and contribute constructively to the state's development.

Mahesh Kumar Goud also remarked that BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) was free to write to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi if the party had any genuine concerns, adding that any issue with merit would receive an appropriate response. His comments drew an immediate rebuttal from the BRS, further escalating the political confrontation between Telangana's ruling and principal opposition parties.