Hyderabad: In a counter to the ongoing assembly session, the BRS on Saturday organised a mock assembly at Telangana Bhavan to highlight what it alleged were the failures of the Congress govt in Telangana. The mock assembly discussed irrigation, power supply, farmers’ issues, land and revenue matters, tribal welfare and the alleged non-implementation of the Congress’ election promises. The exercise was organised after BRS MLAs were suspended by the assembly speaker for the remainder of the session.The proceedings began with BRS members holding placards and raising slogans on several issues. The leaders used the mock session to launch a broad political attack on the Congress govt and compare its performance with that of the previous BRS administration. Opening the discussion on irrigation, former minister G Jagadish Reddy alleged that Telangana had historically been denied its rightful share of river water. He accused the Congress govt of failing to protect the state’s interests in water-sharing matters and claimed that large quantities of water were being allowed to flow into the sea.Jagadish said the govt’s alleged negligence had contributed to the drought-like conditions prevailing in several parts of the state. He highlighted the Kaleshwaram project, Mission Kakatiya and Mission Bhagiratha, crediting the previous BRS govt with expanding irrigation facilities and drinking water infrastructure. He also alleged that Andhra Pradesh was drawing Telangana’s share of Krishna river water through projects connected to Pothireddypadu.‘Talasani as CM’Talasani Srinivas Yadav, who played the role of chief minister, mocked the Congress over its promise to implement its election guarantees within 100 days. “We said we would implement the guarantees within 100 days, but did we say which 100 days?” he remarked sarcastically. He also criticised what he described as the Congress govt’s dependence on the party’s central leadership in Delhi. In a series of comments, he accused the ruling party of attempting to take credit for major irrigation projects initiated during the BRS regime.Power supply was another issue raised during the mock assembly. Former minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy alleged that Telangana was once again witnessing power shortages. He claimed that farmers were protesting inadequate electricity supply and that industries were being compelled to observe power holidays.He recalled the previous BRS govt’s initiative of providing 24-hour electricity to agriculture and demanded the restoration of uninterrupted power supply to farmers. In a symbolic demonstration, the electricity supply to the mock assembly was switched off while he was speaking. BRS members described the incident as an illustration of the power crisis they alleged was affecting the state. Gangula Kamalakar took a dig at the govt over land administration, clearances, settlements and mining activities. He also criticised the Congress’ Bhu Bharati land-records programme.Poll promisesBRS MLA Anil Jadhav raised issues concerning SCs and STs. He alleged that the Congress govt had failed to honour commitments made in the ‘Chevella SC/ST Declaration’ and accused it of neglecting Dalit and tribal communities. Through the exercise, the BRS sought to portray the Congress govt as failing to deliver on its electoral promises and address the concerns of farmers, irrigation-dependent communities, tribals and the wider public.During the mock assembly, former minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav played the role of chief minister, while Zaheerabad MLA K Manik Rao acted as the speaker. BRS MLA Palla Rajeshwar Reddy took on the role of irrigation minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, while former minister Gangula Kamalakar played the role of revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy.
