A political war of words erupted on Wednesday after BRS Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR) launched a fierce attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of weakening the national Opposition and lacking a long-term vision for India.

Speaking at the IGNITION Summit in Chennai, KTR said Rahul Gandhi had become an “albatross around the neck of India’s Opposition”, claiming that the Congress under his leadership has failed to articulate strong positions on critical matters such as economic development, employment, innovation, and industrial growth.

KTR Says Congress Has Lost National Relevance

KTR argued that the Congress has not produced any major national achievements after the eras of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, and has steadily ceded political space to the BJP across states.

He criticised Rahul Gandhi’s remarks alleging “₹1 lakh crore corruption” in the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project, terming the comments “ignorant” and factually incorrect.

Further attacking Congress’ strategy in Bihar, KTR said the party behaved like a “fringe player” by demanding multiple seats, indirectly strengthening the BJP in the state.

Comments on National Political Landscape

KTR predicted that the BJP has “no future” in southern India, asserting that voters in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal will reject the ruling party.

He accused the BJP of branding dissenters as “anti-national” and “dividing society”, while also blaming the Congress for failing to counter the ruling party effectively.

KTR Accuses Telangana Congress of ‘Pushing State Backwards’

Shifting focus to Telangana, KTR said two years of Congress rule have reversed the state’s decade-long progress under the BRS.
He listed achievements of the previous government, including:

• Rise in per capita income
• Strong GSDP growth
• Becoming India’s largest paddy producer
• Construction of the world’s largest lift irrigation project
• Transforming Hyderabad into a global IT destination

He alleged that Congress’ “unrealistic guarantees” and over 420 promises have destabilised Telangana’s finances.

Quoting Thomas Paine, he said, “The first duty of patriots is to protect people from their government”, adding that this applies to Telangana today.

Telangana Congress Responds Strongly

Reacting sharply, TPCC Working President Jaggareddy said KTR had “no moral right” to attack Rahul Gandhi.

He reminded KTR that:

• Congress granted Telangana statehood despite warnings that it would hurt the party politically.
• Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi fulfilled the people’s demand even at the cost of Congress’ electoral strength.
• The KCR family benefited from Congress’ decision and once sought Sonia Gandhi’s support.

Jaggareddy further alleged internal conflicts and wealth disputes within the BRS, dismissing KTR’s remarks as baseless and politically motivated.