K.T. Rama Rao Slams Revanth Reddy for Altering Telangana Talli’s Depiction
BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) launched a fierce attack on Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy during a recent TV interview, accusing him of disrespecting the state’s identity by altering the representation of Telangana Talli (Mother Telangana). KTR expressed outrage over the changes, alleging that Revanth Reddy had removed the symbolic representation of Telangana Talli out of resentment towards the people of the state.
KTR questioned whether the state should remain silent if Revanth Reddy’s actions continued, suggesting that his ultimate goal might be to erase the identity of Telangana altogether. He specifically criticized the portrayal of Telangana Talli as impoverished, stating, “How is it justified to depict Telangana Talli as a poor woman in a society that reveres mothers as goddesses?” He described this as a reflection of a “distorted mindset.”
The BRS leader further accused the Congress government of imposing its political symbols, saying, “What they are presenting is not Telangana Talli, but Congress Talli or Delhi Talli.” He went on to claim that the statue of Telangana Talli with a blessing hand was more suited to the Congress party office rather than the state Secretariat.
KTR recalled historical references to the symbol of Telugu Talli, which was used to represent Andhra’s struggle for separation from Madras. He highlighted how poets like Dasarathi and Raveella Venkata Rama Rao had revered Telangana Talli during the anti-Nizam struggle. Drawing a stark contrast, KTR pointed out how the depiction of Telugu Talli in Andhra Pradesh was adorned with gold crowns and jewelry, while Revanth Reddy’s portrayal of Telangana Talli appeared destitute.
The BRS leader also criticized the proposal to replace the Telangana Talli statue with one of Rajiv Gandhi, calling it a “useless” suggestion and questioning the intellectual behind it. “Who is the perverted intellectual suggesting such advice? Is it us?” KTR rhetorically asked.
Reflecting on his personal journey, KTR spoke about the sacrifices made during the Telangana statehood movement, including his own imprisonment. He expressed anger at the fact that a person who once opposed their cause now had the power to reshape Telangana, threatening to erase KCR’s legacy. “The person who once held a gun against us, after hitting the jackpot, has become CM and threatens to erase KCR’s legacy and reshape Telangana entirely. Everything he does stems from his anger toward us,” KTR asserted.
KTR concluded by emphasizing that the Telangana sentiment remains strong among the people of the state, who are aware of the ongoing developments and the efforts to alter the state’s identity.