Khammam: On Tuesday, Khammam witnessed heightened political tension as Congress workers launched an aggressive attack on the convoy of former minister and senior Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA T. Harish Rao. The confrontation occurred during Harish Rao’s visit to flood-affected areas in Khammam city, where he, along with former ministers P. Sabitha Indra Reddy, Puvvada Ajay Kumar, and ex-MP Nama Nageswara Rao, was distributing essential commodities to families impacted by recent floods.
The situation escalated when Congress workers confronted BRS supporters, objecting to the presence of BRS leaders in the area. What began as a heated exchange of words quickly devolved into physical altercations. Congress workers, fueled by their opposition to the BRS’s involvement in relief activities, started pelting stones at the convoy. The windshield of the vehicle carrying Harish Rao and his colleagues was damaged in the assault. Additionally, a BRS worker, Santhosh Reddy, sustained a leg fracture during the clash.
The incident drew sharp reactions from the BRS leadership. BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao condemned the attack, describing it as an alarming display of intolerance by the Congress party. He expressed outrage over the violence, emphasizing that the Congress, instead of contributing to relief efforts, has resorted to aggression against those who are actively helping the flood-affected people. “Unable to help the people, they have resorted to violence because they cannot bear to see those who are actually providing assistance,” Rama Rao stated.
Rama Rao also criticized the Congress-led government in Telangana, questioning their priorities in light of the incident. He accused the Congress of shirking its responsibility to the public, arguing that the attack on BRS leaders was a desperate attempt by the opposition to mask its own failures. “It is shameful to attack those who serve the people instead of serving them yourselves,” he said, directly holding Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and the Congress party accountable for the incident.
Following the attack, Harish Rao addressed the media, expressing his frustration with the Congress government’s actions. He pointed out the irony of being attacked while trying to help those in need, stating, “If you come to help, will you be attacked?” He also criticized Revanth Reddy’s leadership, stating, “Revanth Reddy has more sarcasm and less performance. Both the state government and the central government have failed in helping the flood victims and saving lives.”
Harish Rao further highlighted the historical struggle of his party, noting that their history of fighting alongside the public is well-known. He questioned the Congress government’s priorities and expressed disappointment in their approach, declaring, “It is shameful to attack those who serve the people instead of serving them yourselves.” He also emphasized that such attacks would not deter the BRS from continuing its efforts to reach out to those in need, adding, “No matter how many such attacks are made, they cannot stop the BRS from going to the people. The people are closely observing the actions of the Congress government.”
This incident marks a significant escalation in the political rivalry between the BRS and Congress, especially as both parties prepare for the upcoming elections. The violence in Khammam serves as a stark reminder of the deepening political divides in Telangana, where each party is increasingly resorting to aggressive tactics to assert its dominance. As the situation continues to develop, the actions of both parties will be under close scrutiny, particularly in how they respond to the needs of the flood-affected population.
