Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), recounting his harrowing experience of being jailed for 16 days by the previous government in 2020. He revealed that he was imprisoned in cells meant for terrorists and Maoists, which were infested with “insects, moths, and lizards,” all for the offense of flying a drone—an act that typically carries a mere Rs 500 fine.
Describing his time at Cherlapally jail in vivid detail, Reddy said, “There were large insects, moths, and huge lizards that preyed on them. About 20-30 of them would hang near the tube light on the ceiling. The constable told me he had instructions not to turn off the light. As a result, I couldn’t sleep at night for 16 days. I would only sleep under a tree after everyone woke up and we were let out.”
He added, “If necessary, I can take MLAs and ministers there to show them the reality. A cell meant for ISI or Naxal extremists—I, a Member of Parliament, was forced to spend 16 nights there.”
Reddy also recalled that he was not allowed to leave jail even to distribute his daughter’s wedding invitations, referring to an earlier jail term when he was allegedly caught on camera offering a bribe to an MLC, reportedly on behalf of the TDP.
“Isn’t this political vendetta against me? However, I did not seek revenge. If I had wanted to, your entire family would have been in Cherlapally jail. I chose wisdom instead. The people gave me a mandate, not for vindictive politics,” he asserted.
The Chief Minister’s outburst in the state assembly drew a sharp response from KT Rama Rao (KTR), former minister and son of BRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao. KTR questioned, “What did Revanth Reddy do to go to jail?” He accused the Chief Minister of flying drones over their houses and speaking about his children “however he wished, without considering that they are minors.”
KTR retorted, “I too went to Warangal jail during the movement. If we send a drone over your Jubilee Hills palace, will you stay quiet? If your wife or child were there and someone took photos, how would it feel?” He added, “You linked me to people unnecessarily, labeled me as an adulterer, and spoke however you wanted—is that your morality?”
Reddy’s verbal attack came days after the Telangana High Court dismissed a complaint against him, noting that the police report did not mention KTR or his farmhouse and that the area had not been declared a prohibited zone.
The ongoing spat between Reddy and KTR, which began over the Miss World beauty pageant in Hyderabad, has continued for days. Last week, Reddy countered BJP’s criticism of hosting the 72nd Miss World pageant by referencing alleged corruption in the Formula E race organized by the BRS government.
“In the Formula E case, KTR misused government funds. I don’t know what problem he has with the Miss World competition,” Reddy had said.
KTR had criticized the decision to host Miss World 2025, questioning the logic behind canceling the Rs 46 crore Formula E racing event and instead opting for the Miss World pageant, which costs significantly more. Opposition parties have also raised concerns about the government’s financial priorities and the use of public funds for an international beauty pageant.
The two leaders have also clashed over the arrest of two women journalists for a video critical of the Chief Minister.
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