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Revanth Reddy
Revanth Reddy
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Anumula Revanth Reddy (born 8 November 1969) is an Indian politician who is serving as the second and current Chief Minister of Telangana.[3] He is also the minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development ,General Administration, Law & Order.[4] As a member of the Indian National Congress, he is the current Member of the Legislative Assembly for Kodangal.

Key Information

He previously represented Malkajgiri as a Member of Parliament. Appointed president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee in July 2021, he led his party to victory in the 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly election, defeating the incumbent Bharat Rashtra Samithi party.

Early and personal life

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Anumula Revanth Reddy was born on 8 November 1969 in Konda Reddy Pally of Mahboobnagar, Andhra Pradesh (present-day Nagarkurnool, Telangana), India.[5][6] He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Andhra Vidyalaya College, Osmania University, Hyderabad.[7][8] Reddy married Geetha, former union minister Jaipal Reddy's niece.[9][10] The couple have a daughter.[11]

Political career

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Early political career

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Revanth Reddy was a member of ABVP, an RSS affiliated organization, while he was a student.[5] In 2006, he contested the local body election and was elected as ZPTC member from Midjil mandal as an independent candidate.[12][13]

In 2007, Reddy was elected as a Member of Legislative Council (MLC) as an independent candidate. Later, he met Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and joined the TDP.[5]

Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA)

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In 2009, Revanth was elected to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly from Kodangal constituency with 46.46% votes as a TDP candidate.[5] He won against the incumbent and five-time MLA, Gurunath Reddy of Congress (INC).[14] He served as an MLA in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly between 2009 and 2014 and in Telangana Assembly, between 2014 and 2018.

He contested the 2014 undivided Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections and was elected to the Telangana Assembly from Kodangal with a majority of 14,614 votes against Gurunath Reddy.[5][14] He was elected as the floor leader of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the Telangana Legislative Assembly.[5]

On 25 October 2017, TDP removed him as the floor leader of the Telangana TDP after reports surfaced that he would consider joining the Congress party.[15] On 31 October 2017, he formally joined the Congress party.[16]

He contested the 2018 Telangana Assembly elections from Kodangal as an Indian National Congress (INC) candidate and lost to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) candidate, Patnam Narender Reddy, marking his first defeat in an election.[14] On 20 September 2018, he was appointed one of the three working presidents of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC), replacing N. Uttam Kumar Reddy.[17]

Member of Parliament (MP)

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Following his defeat in the 2018 Telangana legislative assembly election, Reddy successfully contested the 2019 general election from the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency as a Congress candidate, by a margin of 10,919 votes, constituting 38.63% of the total votes. He defeated his closest competitor, Marri Rajashekar Reddy from BRS.[18]

2023 Telangana Assembly election campaign

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In June 2021, Reddy was appointed president of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee, replacing N. Uttam Kumar Reddy.[19] He took on the new role from 7 July 2021.[20]

He led the Congress' successful campaigning against the incumbent Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao in 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly election with the party winning 64 seats, 4 seats past the majority mark. He contested from Kodangal and Kamareddy constituencies,[21][22] winning in the former seat and losing in the latter.[23] After his earlier wins from Kodangal constituency in 2009 and 2014, he is representing the constituency for the third time.

Chief Minister of Telangana

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All India Congress Committee (AICC) named Reddy as the leader of Congress Legislature Party, following the elected MLAs' resolution authorising the AICC to nominate the leader, paving way for him to become the Chief Minister of Telangana.[24] On 7 December 2023, he took oath as the Chief Minister of Telangana, making him the second person to hold the post.[25][26]

In the first ten days of his governance, the government launched 2 of his 6 "guarantees", the free bus travel for women and insurance under the 'Arogyasri' scheme was increased to ₹10 lakh. Its 'Praja Palana' outreach program receives over 1.05 crore applications, covering as many as 1.11 crore households.[27] In July, another guarantee, the crop loan waiver was passed, with the Telangana government releasing 31,000 crore for it.[28] The waiver was set to benefit around 40 lakh farmers across the state.[29]

In May 2024, he was summoned by the Delhi Police after the Telangana Congress shared a doctored video of Amit Shah on its Twitter handle. He denied any role in the creation or the dissemination of the video.[30][31]

Chief Minister of Telangana Shri Revanth Reddy sitting with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 4th July, 2024
Revanth Reddy calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2024

In celebrations of 10 years of Telangana achieving statehood, his government celebrated it on a grand scale on 2 June 2024.[32][33]

He met with Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, Amit Shah and J. P. Nadda in July 2024, in order to expedite pending infrastructure works and to release funds for other state works.[34][35][36][37] He also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and requested him to allot the Sravanapalli coal mining block to the PSU Singareni Collieries Company.[38]

In August 2024, he took part in a tour of the United States in a bid to get more companies to invest in Telangana.[39][40] Many companies, including Amgen and Charles Schwab agreed to open offices in Hyderabad.[41][42]

As Chief Minister, he was vocal against residential and commercial properties encroaching on lakes and other water bodies. In July 2024, the Telangana government formed the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA) to take care of such issues.[43][44] He wanted HYDRAA to be developed as a strong system and was ready to allocate parts of the state budget for it.[45] In August 2024, HYDRAA had begun to take down multiple under-construction and fully constructed structures which encroached on various water bodies in Hyderabad, including a convention centre owned by actor Nagarjuna.[46] The body received a lot of public support for protecting the city's lakes and ponds.[47][48]

Electoral history

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He was elected as the ZPTC from Midjil in 2006[49] and as an independent MLC in 2007 through elections by local bodies from Mahabubnagar.[50]

Legislative Assembly Elections

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Year Constituency Party Votes % Opponent Opponent Party Opponent Votes % Result Margin %
2023 Kamareddy INC 54,916 28.47 K. V. Ramana Reddy BJP 66,652 34.55 Lost -11,736 -6.08
Kodangal 107,429 55.05 Patnam Narender Reddy BRS 75,897 38.38 Won +31,532 +16.67
2018 71,435 43.15 TRS 80,754 48.78 Lost -9,319 -5.63
2014 TDP 54,026 39.06 Gurunath Reddy 39,412 28.50 Won +14,614 +10.56
2009 61,685 46.45 INC 54,696 41.49 Won +6,989 +4.96

Parliament: Lok Sabha

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Year Constituency Party Votes % Opponent Opponent Party Opponent Votes % Result Margin %
2019 Malkajgiri INC 603,748 38.63 Marri Rajasekhar Reddy TRS 592,829 37.93 Won 10,919 0.70

Overseas engagements

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In June 2009, when Indian students were being attacked in Australia, then Telugu Desam leaders Reddy and Nama Nageswara Rao had visited Melbourne, Australia to meet with International students from India. Reddy had visited hospitals, and travelled in trains and public transport in Melbourne to meet victims, and interact with Indian students in Australia, to get a better understanding of the situation.[51]

Reddy had also visited the Victorian Parliament, and had meetings with then Victorian opposition leader Ted Baillieu, and Ministerial Adviser Mr. Nitin Gupta to raise concerns about Indian students being attacked in Melbourne, Australia. [52]

Later in July 2009, the Victorian Opposition Leader Hon. Ted Baillieu, and Ministerial Adviser Mr. Nitin Gupta had visited Delhi, India and they had a follow up meeting with Reddy on the same topic. [53] [54]

Controversies

[edit]

Arrest for bribery

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On 31 May 2015, Revanth Reddy was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Andhra Pradesh during a sting operation, for bribing nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson to vote in favour of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) candidate in the legislative council election.[55][56][57][58][59] A criminal case under sections of Prevention of Corruption Act and Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code was registered against him along with two others – Bishop Sebastian Harry and Uday Simha. On 30 June, the Telangana High Court gave conditional bail. TDP party members celebrated Revanth Reddy's release on 1 July 2015 with a rally. He spent 30 days in jail.[60][61] Due to the involvement of a TDP MLA, it was suspected that TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu was the main man behind the scam.[62]

In May 2021, when he was a Lok Sabha MP, the Enforcement Directorate filed a chargesheet against him in connection with the scam.[63][64] In October 2023, 2 months before the 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly election, the Supreme Court dismissed his plea challenging the ACB court's decision to reject his request in 2021.[65] In February 2024, the Supreme Court heard an appeal and transferred the case to a trial court outside Telangana to ensure that a fair trial takes place.[66][67] In April 2024, it deferred a hearing until July.[68]

Summons for Circulating Fake Video

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Delhi Police has summoned Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in connection with a controversial video featuring Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The video, shared on social media by the Telangana Congress, was accused of being doctored using deepfake technology.[69][70] Revanth Reddy's lawyer informed Delhi Police on Wednesday that the Congress leader did not share the alleged doctored video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, asserting that Reddy had no involvement with the video and requesting the withdrawal of the notice.[71][72] Reddy warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi against making threats in his state after being summoned by the Delhi Police in connection with the doctored video case. Calling the summons "atrocious," Reddy questioned how long PM Modi would continue to govern through fear.[73][74]

Remarks Against Police Personnel (2023)

[edit]

In 2023, Revanth Reddy allegedly made derogatory remarks about police officers during a party event at Gandhi Bhavan. He was reported to have said that he had recorded the names of certain officers involved in political activities and that appropriate action would be taken against them. A case was filed under Indian Penal Code Section 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace). In May 2025, he appeared before a special magistrate in Hyderabad and denied the allegations, calling them "false and baseless" and politically motivated.[75]

Supreme Court Warning Over Legislative Remarks

[edit]

In April 2024, the Supreme Court of India issued a warning to Revanth Reddy following his comments during a legislative session, where he allegedly claimed that there would be no by-elections even if MLAs defected. The court expressed concern that such statements could undermine the constitutional process and warned his legal counsel to advise him accordingly.[76]

Comments on Journalists (2025)

[edit]

In March 2025, Reddy faced backlash for comments directed at individuals he described as "fake journalists" spreading derogatory content about him and his family. He warned that such individuals could be "stripped and paraded in public," which drew sharp criticism from journalists and opposition leaders. Reddy later clarified that his comments were aimed at combating misinformation.[77]

Economic mismanagement of Telengana's Economy

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Since assuming power, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has driven Telangana into a deep fiscal crisis through unchecked populism and financially reckless welfare schemes. Under the previous TRS regime, Telangana borrowed around ₹5.6 lakh crore, of which approximately 50% (₹2.8 lakh crore) was invested in capital expenditure—fueling infrastructure, irrigation, and power growth. In stark contrast, the Congress government has already borrowed over ₹77,000 crore, yet spent only ₹9,447 crore, or just 12% of that on capital projects—signaling a complete neglect of development. The state now requires ₹22,000 crore per month to function but raises only ₹18,000 crore, leaving a 22% deficit every month. Of that, ₹6,500 crore (35%) goes to salaries and pensions, another ₹6,500 crore (35%) to debt servicing—leaving a measly ₹5,000 crore (just 28%) for all welfare, infrastructure, and development programs. With revenue collections collapsing—GST growth crawling at 5.5%, stamp duty collection at just 77% of the target—and no lender willing to fund this spiraling deficit, the Revanth Reddy government has effectively paralyzed the state’s economy. His administration has turned a revenue-starved Telangana into a debt-ridden liability, mortgaging its future for short-term political gains.[78] [79] [80] [81]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Anumula Revanth Reddy (born 8 November 1969) is an Indian politician serving as the second Chief Minister of Telangana since 7 December 2023 and as president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee. A member of the Indian National Congress since 2018, he previously represented the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency from 2019 to 2023 and the Kodangal Assembly constituency multiple times, including victories in 2009 and 2014 under the Telugu Desam Party banner before switching allegiances. Revanth Reddy led the Congress to a decisive victory in the 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly elections, securing 64 seats and ending the decade-long rule of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, through a campaign emphasizing anti-corruption and fulfillment of electoral promises such as farm loan waivers totaling ₹20,617 crore and women's welfare schemes. His tenure has focused on economic initiatives aiming to transform Telangana into a $3 trillion economy by 2047, alongside controversies including public protests over unfulfilled guarantees and political rhetoric against opposition parties.

Early life and education

Family background and upbringing

Anumula Revanth Reddy was born on 8 November 1969 in Kondareddypalli village, (now , ), into a family primarily engaged in . His father, Anumula Narsimha Reddy, worked as a farmer, while his mother, Anumula Ramachandramma, managed the household. As the fourth of seven siblings, Reddy grew up in modest rural circumstances, where the family's agricultural activities and local influence shaped daily life. Reddy received his early up to the fifth grade in Kondareddypalli before his family relocated to Hyderabad, exposing him to urban environments amid continued ties to rural roots. This transition marked the end of his primary village-based upbringing, though the family's non-political background emphasized self-reliance and agrarian values over formal political engagement.

Academic pursuits and early career

Revanth Reddy completed his degree from A.V. College, affiliated with , in Hyderabad in 1992. Following his graduation, Reddy ventured into , initially establishing an and agency. Within approximately four years, he expanded into , capitalizing on Hyderabad's emerging development during that period. He also engaged in layout design work, including for magazines, before focusing on development and layouts. Additionally, he participated in his family's agriculture-related activities prior to these entrepreneurial pursuits. These endeavors preceded his formal entry into in the mid-2000s.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Anumula Revanth Reddy married Anumula Geetha on 7 May 1992. Geetha, a homemaker involved in and activities, is the niece of the late senior leader C. . The couple faced initial family opposition to the marriage due to political differences, as Revanth was then affiliated with the while Jaipal Reddy was a prominent figure. Reddy and Geetha have one daughter, Nymisha Reddy. Nymisha married Satyanarayana Reddy, son of businessman G. Venkat Reddy and owner of Reddy and Reddy Motors, following their in June 2015. Nymisha gave birth to a son in early April 2023, making Revanth a grandfather. The family maintains a low public profile, with Geetha occasionally accompanying Revanth at political and social events.

Pre-political business activities

Following his graduation in Fine Arts from A.V. College in Hyderabad in the early , Anumula Revanth Reddy established a business, leveraging his academic background in the field. He subsequently expanded into an and agency, which operated successfully during Hyderabad's emerging economic growth phase. Within approximately four years of launching the agency, Reddy ventured into , capitalizing on the city's burgeoning property market as projects accelerated urban expansion. This diversification reflected his entrepreneurial adaptability, though specific ventures or financial outcomes from these activities remain sparsely documented in public records prior to his formal political entry around 2001. Reddy also maintained involvement in his family's agriculture-based enterprises in Mahbubnagar district, aligning with his rural upbringing, before prioritizing urban business pursuits. These pre-political endeavors provided financial independence and local networks that later supported his transition into and electoral .

Early political involvement

Student activism with ABVP

Anumula Revanth Reddy began his political involvement as a student member of the (ABVP), the student wing of the (RSS), during his undergraduate years at , affiliated with in Hyderabad, where he earned a degree in 1992. His association with ABVP marked his entry into organized student , emphasizing nationalist ideology and campus-level advocacy. As an ABVP activist, Reddy participated in efforts to address student welfare concerns, aligning with the organization's focus on educational reforms, anti-corruption drives on campuses, and promotion of cultural nationalism. This period shaped his early political outlook, fostering skills in mobilization and public advocacy that he later applied in electoral politics. Specific documented events from his ABVP tenure remain limited in public records, but his involvement laid the groundwork for subsequent affiliations with right-leaning groups before shifts to regional parties.

Initial electoral forays

Revanth Reddy entered electoral politics through local body elections in undivided . In 2006, he won election as a member of the Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC), securing his first public office at the grassroots level in district. Building on this, Reddy contested and won a seat in the from the Local Bodies' constituency in 2007, running as an independent candidate. This victory represented an expansion of his influence beyond village-level representation, drawing on support from elected local body members across the state. These early contests occurred during Reddy's initial involvement with the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), though his MLC bid proceeded independently, reflecting a period of testing political waters amid the statehood movement. His successes in these lower-stakes elections demonstrated organizational skills and local rapport, garnering approximately the required votes from ZPTC and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency members for the council seat, but also highlighted the challenges of party alignment in nascent stages.

Tenure with Telugu Desam Party

Party affiliation and key elections

Revanth Reddy joined the (TDP) in 2008, aligning with the regional party founded by to contest politics in the Telugu-speaking regions. His affiliation emphasized opposition to the and later the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), focusing on development and anti-corruption themes in rural constituencies like . In the 2009 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election, Reddy contested from the constituency on a TDP ticket and won by securing 61,685 votes, representing 46.5% of the valid votes polled, defeating the candidate Gurunath Reddy by a margin of 6,989 votes. This victory marked his entry into the undivided assembly as a TDP , amid a broader TDP performance that saw the party win 92 seats but fail to form the government. Following the 2014 bifurcation of and , Reddy remained with TDP and contested the inaugural election from , winning with 54,026 votes (39.4% share) against the Indian National Congress's D. Vittal Rao. The TDP-led alliance, including Telangana Rashtra Samithi, secured a , though TDP itself won only 15 seats statewide; Reddy's success in underscored his local influence in district. Reddy rose within TDP ranks to become the working president of its Telangana unit, but tensions arose over the party's potential alliance with TRS for the 2019 general elections. He resigned from TDP on October 28, 2017, criticizing the leadership's strategic shifts and expressing intent to continue as an independent opponent to TRS dominance.

Internal conflicts and departure

During his tenure as Telugu Desam Party (TDP) working president for and MLA from , Revanth Reddy clashed with party leadership over strategic directions, particularly the proposed alliance with the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) ahead of the 2019 elections. He opposed the move, viewing it as a compromise that undermined TDP's opposition to TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao's government. Tensions escalated in late October 2017 when TDP stripped Reddy of his titles as working president and assembly floor leader, prompting him to revolt by planning a TDP legislative party meeting without high command approval. On October 28, 2017, he formally resigned from the party primary membership, his organizational posts, and his MLA position, stating that recent developments in the Telangana unit had caused him significant pain and that his exit was part of a broader effort to form a united front against TRS rule. Reddy's departure represented a major setback for TDP's Telangana unit, which relied on him as a vocal critic of TRS and a two-term since 2009. Prior controversies, including his 2015 arrest in a cash-for-vote involving an alleged bribe to a nominated MLA during an MLC election, had already strained relations but did not immediately precipitate his exit. His facilitated a in , where he later contested as an independent before aligning with the .

Transition to Indian National Congress

Independent candidacy and party switch

In October 2017, amid growing dissatisfaction with the Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) declining influence in following the state's bifurcation from , Revanth Reddy resigned from his positions as TDP working president for , primary party membership, and MLA for constituency. His resignation letter highlighted internal party frictions and the need for a stronger opposition platform against the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). On October 31, 2017, Reddy formally joined the in , in the presence of party vice-president . He described the move as a strategic shift to bolster Congress's revival in , emphasizing his intent to challenge TRS dominance rather than remain in a weakened TDP. This transition marked Reddy's second major party affiliation change, following his earlier independent electoral successes in local bodies and the prior to aligning with TDP in 2008. Reddy's switch prompted a by-election in Kodangal, where he did not contest independently but prepared to re-enter the fray under Congress banners in subsequent polls, signaling his commitment to the new party despite the brief interregnum without formal affiliation. The move was viewed by observers as opportunistic given TDP's post-2014 electoral setbacks in the region, though Reddy framed it as principled opposition politics.

Rise within Congress ranks

Following his switch to the on October 31, 2017, in the presence of party vice-president , Revanth Reddy rapidly ascended within the party's unit. Less than a year later, on September 20, 2018, president appointed him as one of the working presidents of the (TPCC), positioning him among the top state leaders despite his recent defection from the rival . Reddy contested the December 2018 elections from on a ticket but lost to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi's Patnam Narender by a margin of approximately 7,000 votes amid a strong regional wave favoring the incumbent party. Undeterred, he shifted to parliamentary politics and secured the seat in the 2019 general elections, defeating the Telangana Rashtra Samithi's Marri Rajashekar by 10,919 votes with 603,748 votes polled in his favor. This victory marked 's sole win in that cycle and elevated Reddy's profile nationally within the party. By June 26, 2021, Reddy's organizational acumen and ability to consolidate disparate factions led to his appointment as TPCC president, succeeding ; he assumed charge on July 7, 2021. This role, secured within four years of joining despite internal rivalries from longer-serving leaders, underscored his emergence as the party's de facto strategist in , focusing on booth-level mobilization and attracting defectors from opposition ranks.

Pre-Chief Minister leadership roles

Lok Sabha membership

Anumula Revanth Reddy was elected to the from the constituency in during the as a candidate of the . He polled 603,748 votes, defeating the Telangana Rashtra Samithi nominee Marri Rajashekar Reddy, who received 592,829 votes, by a margin of 10,919 votes. The seat, known for its large electorate exceeding 2.5 million voters, marked Reddy's entry into national parliamentary politics following his prior state-level engagements. During his tenure from June 2019 to December 2023, Reddy maintained an overall attendance record of 66%, which fell below the national average of 79% for MPs in the 17th Lok Sabha. He posed 197 questions in the House, aligning closely with the national average of 196 questions per MP, and participated in 17 debates, fewer than the average of 44.1. Reddy introduced no private member's bills during this period. His parliamentary interventions often focused on regional issues affecting Telangana, including infrastructure, employment, and state-specific grievances against the central government. Reddy resigned from the on December 8, 2023, one day after assuming office as Chief Minister of Telangana on December 7, 2023, submitting his resignation to Speaker in . This step complied with constitutional requirements prohibiting simultaneous membership in and a state legislative assembly, following his election as a from in the December 2023 Telangana Assembly polls.

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee presidency

A. Revanth Reddy was appointed president of the (TPCC) on 26 June 2021 by president , replacing amid the party's efforts to counter internal criticisms and strengthen its position against the ruling (BRS). He formally took charge on 7 July 2021 at Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad. Reddy's leadership emphasized organizational revival, including large-scale membership enrollment campaigns that reportedly added over 45 lakh members to the party's rolls in , bolstering its cadre base after years of electoral marginalization since the state's 2014 formation. He orchestrated protests against BRS failures, such as alleged and irrigation project mismanagement, while promoting Congress's "six guarantees" including financial aid for women, farmers, and youth to exploit sentiments. As TPCC president, Reddy coordinated strategic candidate selections, defections from rival parties, and high-visibility campaigns, personally contesting and winning from the constituency against BRS chief in the November–December 2023 elections. This effort propelled to 64 seats, securing a to form the government and ending BRS's uninterrupted rule since 2014. Reddy retained the TPCC presidency alongside his subsequent roles as Congress Legislature Party leader and until resigning on 6 September 2024, after which Bomma Mahesh Kumar Goud was appointed successor; he later reflected on the three-year term as marked by ", gratitude, and pride" for the party's resurgence.

2023 Telangana Assembly elections and ascension to Chief Minister

Campaign dynamics and strategy

Revanth Reddy, as president of the since July 2021, directed the party's campaign by emphasizing aggressive grassroots mobilization, including street protests and large-scale public rallies to channel anti-incumbency against the incumbent (BRS) government. His capitalized on voter dissatisfaction with BRS's unfulfilled promises and diluted welfare schemes, such as reductions in the Kalyana Lakshmi pathakam from ₹2.16 lakh to ₹1 lakh, while positioning as the alternative through unified cadre energization and minimal internal conflicts resolved via oversight. Reddy personally contested from and constituencies, directly challenging BRS leader (KCR) in the latter, to underscore his combative style and mass appeal. Central to the campaign were the "six guarantees," voter-centric pledges designed to appeal to women, farmers, youth, and minorities, including the Mahalakshmi scheme for free bus travel for women, Gruha Jyothi for 200 units of free electricity per household, and Rythu Bharosa providing ₹15,000 annually to farmers. Additional commitments encompassed a ₹2,500 monthly for women, a ₹4,000 minority welfare corpus, and a within six months to enable proportionate reservations, framed under emotional appeals like "Indiramma Rajyam" to evoke Congress's historical legacy without over-relying on statehood narratives. These promises were amplified through separate yatras by Reddy and deputy leader , alongside high-profile events like Rahul Gandhi's , which boosted party momentum following Congress's May 2023 Karnataka victory. Campaign dynamics involved portraying BRS, BJP, and AIMIM as an informal alliance to consolidate anti-BRS votes, particularly among Muslims, while leveraging corruption allegations against BRS's decade-long rule, echoed by national leaders like and even . Support from groups such as Rythu Swarajya Vedika and alliances with parties like TDP, , , and CPI enhanced outreach on farmer and youth issues, contributing to a cohesive narrative amid BRS's defensive tactics and BJP's fragmented efforts. This approach culminated in the November 30, 2023, polling, where Congress secured 64 of 119 seats, propelled by Reddy's oratory and strategic focus on implementable welfare over abstract .

Electoral victory and government formation

In the 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly elections held on November 30, with results declared on December 3, the Indian National Congress secured a majority by winning 64 seats in the 119-member assembly, surpassing the required threshold of 60 seats. The incumbent Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) was reduced to 39 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) obtained 8, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) 7, and the Communist Party of India (CPI) 1. This outcome ended the BRS's decade-long rule since Telangana's formation in 2014. Revanth Reddy, as the president of the , led the party's campaign and personally contested from the constituency in , defeating BRS candidate Patnam Narender Reddy by a margin of over 3,000 votes in a three-way contest that also featured BJP's Bantu Ramesh. His victory, alongside the party's statewide success, positioned him as the frontrunner for the chief ministership, reflecting Congress's strategic focus on sentiments against the BRS government. On December 5, 2023, high command announced Revanth Reddy as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), formalizing his selection to head the new government. He was sworn in as on December 7, 2023, at 1:04 p.m. at L.B. Stadium in Hyderabad, in a ceremony attended by leaders including and . Accompanying him were 11 cabinet ministers, with appointed as Deputy ; the initial cabinet comprised a mix of experienced legislators and Reddy community members, totaling 12 including Reddy, to balance regional and caste representation within the party. This formation enabled to stake claim to governance without requiring alliances, given its clear majority.

Chief Ministership

Cabinet composition and initial priorities

The initial cabinet under Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy was sworn in on 7 December 2023 at Stadium in Hyderabad, comprising Reddy as , Deputy Chief Minister , and 10 other ministers, for a total of 12 members. The selection emphasized and regional balance, featuring four members from the community, two each from Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes, and one each from Scheduled Tribes, , Kamma, and communities, reflecting the party's strategy to consolidate diverse voter bases post-election. Key appointees included (), (Civil Supplies), T. Nirmala (Panchayat Raj), (Women and Child Welfare), Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy (Revenue), D. Damodar Rajanarasimha (Labour), Jupaka Balaram (Tribal Welfare), and others such as Kathi and Tukaram B. Portfolios were formally allocated on 9 December 2023 via notification, with Revanth Reddy retaining oversight of municipal administration and urban development, general administration, law and order, and other unallocated areas to centralize control over critical functions. Deputy Chief Minister was assigned finance, planning, and energy; Uttam Kumar Reddy received irrigation, food, and civil supplies; and Sridhar Babu took , , and industries, aligning departmental leadership with the government's developmental focus. The cabinet's immediate priorities centered on implementing the Indian National Congress's six pre-election guarantees to address agrarian distress, household welfare, and gender equity, amid fiscal constraints inherited from the prior BRS administration. In its first actions, the government announced a waiver of crop loans up to ₹2 lakh per farmer, totaling approximately ₹18,000 crore disbursed within the initial month to alleviate debt burdens for around 64 lakh farmers. Preparations began for rolling out free electricity up to 200 units per household (Gruha Jyothi), subsidized gas cylinders (Mahalakshmi), and annual financial aid to women (Indiramma), alongside expanding health coverage under Aarogyasri and increasing pensions for the elderly and vulnerable. These measures, ratified in early cabinet meetings, aimed at rapid fulfillment of manifesto commitments but raised concerns over long-term fiscal sustainability given Telangana's existing debt of over ₹3 lakh crore. Administrative reforms, including transfers of over 400 officials and formation of implementation committees, were also prioritized to streamline bureaucracy and combat perceived corruption from the previous regime.

Welfare and social programs

Upon assuming office in December 2023, the Revanth Reddy administration prioritized the implementation of six party guarantees, emphasizing direct financial transfers, subsidies, and expanded access to for women, farmers, the poor, and vulnerable groups. These initiatives, often branded under the "Mahalakshmi" umbrella for women and "Rythu Bharosa" for , aimed to address immediate needs amid Telangana's fiscal constraints, with monthly revenues of approximately Rs 18,500 crore largely directed toward recurring welfare expenditures. The Mahalakshmi Scheme, launched on December 9, 2023, provides free travel on state-run buses for women and persons, subsidized LPG cylinders at Rs 500 each, and Rs 2,500 monthly financial assistance to eligible women heads of households with annual family incomes below Rs 2 . By December 2024, the free bus component had boosted ridership and occupancy, with government expenditure estimated at Rs 3,500 crore, though eligibility verification has focused on permanent residents from below-poverty-line categories. In healthcare, the Rajiv Arogyasri scheme's coverage limit was enhanced from 5 to 10 per family annually starting December 2023, extending to all citizens and incorporating the "Cheyutha" sub-scheme for up to 10 in free medical aid; 65 new procedures were added by June 2024, implemented via 1,402 network hospitals. Complementing this, the Chief Minister's Relief Fund disbursed 830 crore for emergency medical treatments in the first year, setting a record for such allocations. For housing, the Indiramma Scheme targets homeless poor families with Rs 5 lakh per unit in financial aid, sanctioning 3,500 units per constituency; the first phase distributed Rs 1 lakh cheques to beneficiaries in April 2025, alongside directives for free sand supply and village-level committees by September 2024. However, progress faced delays in July 2025 due to non-compliance with norms flagged by the central government. Agricultural support under Rythu Bharosa, rolled out on January 26, 2025, alongside launches of Rythu Aathmiya Bharosa for landless laborers and five new ration cards, offers Rs 12,000 annual investment aid per acre to eligible farmers based on revenue records, with Rs 19,000 allocated; funds were credited to those holding up to five acres by June 2025, though revised guidelines excluding certain categories drew criticism from farmers. Additional minority-focused programs, such as the Indiramma Minority Mahila Yojana providing Rs 50,000 to widows, divorcees, and orphans, were introduced in September 2025.

Infrastructure and urban development initiatives

In October 2025, the Telangana government under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy allocated ₹2,780 crore to 138 urban local bodies for infrastructure enhancements, including construction of internal roads, stormwater and sewage drainage systems, and development of merged municipal areas to bridge urban-rural gaps. This funding, part of the Telangana Rising Vision 2027, targeted prioritizing newly formed municipalities and those incorporating surrounding villages, aiming to elevate Greater Hyderabad and other cities as growth hubs. Reddy has emphasized Hyderabad's urban renewal, directing officials in June 2025 to formulate a comprehensive 25-year urban policy centered on the core area within the Outer (ORR), incorporating sustainable and infrastructure upgrades. Key projects include the Phase-II expansion of the Rail, reviewed by Reddy in January 2024 to extend connectivity across the city. Additionally, the administration launched the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) in 2024 to reclaim and restore lakes and water bodies, demolishing illegal constructions within full tank levels and reviving six lakes by September 2025 as part of environmental protection efforts. In October 2025, Reddy pushed for a revised (TDR) policy to incentivize lake rejuvenation by compensating property owners. A flagship initiative is the Bharat Future City project, unveiled by Reddy in September 2025, envisioning a 15,000-acre (later expanded to over 30,000 acres in phases) global hub between the ORR and Regional Ring Road (), with a 10-year development timeline to attract all companies by 2035 through zones for AI, health, education, and , connected by a ₹4,621 Ratan Tata Greenfield Highway. Complementary efforts include the Musi River rejuvenation, featuring 39 new sewage treatment plants at ₹3,849 to ensure cleanliness, alongside the SPEED initiative's 19 major projects—such as ring roads and elevated corridors—for which Reddy mandated timelines in January 2025 after initial delays. These measures integrate with broader plans for a hub between the ORR and , launched in February 2025.

Economic policies and performance

Fiscal inheritance and debt management

Upon assuming office in December 2023, the Congress government led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy inherited a substantial public debt from the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi administration, with the state's debt projected to reach ₹3,89,673 crore by the end of fiscal year 2023-24 according to budget estimates cited in the government's white paper. Reddy has attributed a total fiscal burden exceeding ₹8 lakh crore, encompassing core loans of approximately ₹6.71 lakh crore as of December 1, 2023, alongside ₹40,000 crore in pending bills and other liabilities. This figure includes off-budget borrowings and guarantees, though Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) data reports audited outstanding debt at ₹3,09,563 crore for 2022-23, reflecting a roughly 300% increase from ₹77,333 crore in 2014-15. The inheritance also featured an empty treasury and revenue deficits, with the state shifting from surplus in earlier years to deficits exacerbated by high debt-servicing costs. Debt management under Reddy has prioritized servicing prior obligations amid constrained revenues, with annual repayments totaling around ₹66,000 dedicated to legacy BRS-era loans. The administration borrowed ₹1.58 by March 2025, of which ₹1.53 was allocated to principal and repayments, including ₹19,879 in principal and ₹29,956 in on select high-burden loans like those tied to projects. To address cash flow shortfalls for salaries and operations, the government secured monthly ways-and-means advances of ₹4,000 from the starting in early 2025. Longer-term strategies include appeals to the 16th for and higher central fund devolution to 50% of revenues, aiming to alleviate the burden from high-interest loans inherited from previous regimes. Reddy has emphasized that much of current fiscal capacity is consumed by debt obligations—estimated at ₹7,000 monthly—limiting and welfare expansions, though critics from the BRS contend that state assets outpace liabilities and that new borrowings under have accelerated without corresponding productivity gains. By March 2024, total debt per CAG stood at ₹5,17,659 , or 34.47% of gross state domestic product, underscoring ongoing pressures despite repayment efforts.

Revenue generation efforts and challenges

Upon assuming office in December 2023, the Revanth Reddy-led government inherited a fiscal burden from the previous (BRS) administration, including over ₹8,500 crore in unpaid retirement benefits and substantial arrears in power subsidies, which constrained initial revenue mobilization. To address this, Reddy directed revenue-generating departments to coordinate efforts, emphasizing increases in Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections as a , and instructed officials in 2024 to explore additional revenue enhancement strategies. Key initiatives included revising land market values in May 2024 to stimulate and sectors, thereby boosting and registration revenues in alignment with state fiscal needs. State own tax revenues showed early gains, with collections rising to ₹4,100 in December 2023, ₹3,848 in January 2024, and ₹4,446 in February 2024, reflecting improved enforcement and economic activity. By the end of 2024-25, revenue receipts reached ₹1.67 , achieving 75.85% of the projected ₹2.21 , supported by growth in sectors like services contributing 66.3% to Gross State . The government also pursued investment attraction to diversify revenue streams, with Reddy claiming in May 2025 that ranked first nationally in securing investments totaling ₹3 lakh , alongside pitches emphasizing , safety, and skilled labor during international engagements. For fiscal 2025-26, tax revenue projections were set at ₹1,45,419 , up from ₹1,29,406 the prior year, with monthly targets mandated across departments. Despite these measures, significant challenges persisted, including a precarious fiscal position acknowledged by Reddy in May 2025, where he warned of near-bankruptcy risks due to inherited debts exceeding manageable levels and difficulties in securing fresh loans from financial institutions. shortfalls were evident, with critics noting plummeting collections in key sectors and unchecked public expenditure amid ballooning debts, leading to a reliance on market borrowings estimated at ₹64,539 for 2025-26. remained stalled in some areas, exacerbating economic strain, while opposition sources highlighted failures to meet welfare commitments without further fiscal deterioration.

Criticisms of economic outcomes

Critics, including leaders from the opposition (BRS), have faulted the Revanth Reddy administration for worsening Telangana's fiscal position through unchecked borrowing and inadequate revenue mobilization, despite inheriting substantial s from the prior BRS government. State reportedly surpassed Rs 2 lakh within 19 months of assuming power in December 2023, with fresh borrowings totaling Rs 1.66 lakh by March 2025, contributing to monthly loan repayments and interest exceeding Rs 7,000 . By October 2025, total had climbed to Rs 2.13 lakh after additional Rs 1,000 loans, prompting accusations of steering the state into a deeper trap via populist spending without structural reforms. BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao labeled the economy's trajectory a "free-fall" in August 2025, attributing sluggish growth in own tax revenue (2.2 percent), overall revenue income (2.5 percent), and total revenue (5.8 percent) for 2024-25 to governmental incompetence and policy missteps. A decline in GST collections was similarly blamed on administrative inexperience, with sectors like agriculture and real estate described as in disarray, exacerbating deflationary pressures that struck the state for the third time in 2025 and signaling stalled economic activity. The absence of capital expenditure has drawn particular scrutiny, with Reddy admitting in May 2025 to a cash crunch preventing infrastructure investments and leaving coffers depleted for essential outlays like pensions and contractor dues. Critics contend this has halted business investments, restricted loan access for traders, and undermined long-term growth, while projections indicate outstanding liabilities could reach Rs 5.46 lakh crore by March 2026—equivalent to 28.1 percent of gross state domestic product—amid opaque accounting and escalating welfare costs. Such outcomes have fueled broader concerns over fiscal sustainability, with BRS figures arguing that unfulfilled promises on jobs and farmer aid have compounded the inherited burdens rather than alleviating them.

Law and order administration

Police reforms and encounters

Upon assuming office as , A. Revanth Reddy emphasized strengthening through technological integration and operational efficiencies, while maintaining a firm stance against . In September 2025, the signed a with the Indian Police Foundation to implement reforms in 30 police stations across Cyberabad Commissionerate and , focusing on and improved practices. On October 17, 2025, Reddy unveiled the website and logo for the Complaints Authority (TGSPCA), aimed at processing public complaints against police misconduct. Reddy has publicly commended the for leading national efforts in adopting advanced technologies and innovative policies, crediting their courage with effectively eliminating the Maoist threat in the state. On October 22, 2025, he directed the immediate closure of all transport check posts statewide, reallocating personnel to frontline duties to enhance efficiency and reduce bureaucratic hurdles in . He has reiterated a policy of "no compromise" on law and order, describing "friendly policing" as applicable only to law-abiding citizens, and appealed to remaining Maoists to surrender and reintegrate into society. Regarding police encounters, a notable incident occurred on , 2025, in Nizamabad, where Sheik Riyaz, accused of murdering police constable E. Pramod, was shot dead inside a hospital. Police stated that Riyaz, who was injured and under custody, seized a from an escorting , attacked personnel, and threatened medical staff, prompting officers to open fire in to protect doctors and nurses. Riyaz's mother alleged it was a staged killing, prompting the Telangana State to take suo motu cognizance and initiate an inquiry. This event drew comparisons to prior high-profile encounters, such as the 2019 Hyderabad case involving suspects in a veterinarian's and , though it occurred under the previous administration. Civil society groups have urged Reddy's government to review expansive police surveillance systems established over the prior decade and address alleged unlawful practices, though no specific policy changes in this area have been announced as of October 2025. Reddy has pledged unwavering support to families of police personnel killed in the , honoring their sacrifices during events like Police Martyrs' Memorial Day on October 21, 2025.

Handling of public unrest

In April 2025, students and faculty at the protested the government's plan to auction 400 acres of land adjacent to the campus in Kancha , claiming it encroached on green space and university interests. Police responded with a lathi charge on , injuring approximately 20 protesters, alongside detentions and preventive custody of demonstrators. The action drew condemnation from student groups like the Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU) and CPI(M), who accused the government of brutality and burned effigies of Revanth Reddy. In October 2024, job aspirants protesting the scheduling of Group I examinations gathered outside government offices and the Chief Minister's residence, demanding postponement amid allegations of irregularities. Revanth Reddy publicly urged candidates to end the agitation and participate in the exams starting , emphasizing that protests would not alter the process. Similar demonstrations by job seekers in July 2024, including night protests in Hyderabad neighborhoods like Ashoknagar, highlighted ongoing tensions over recruitment timelines, though specific police responses were limited to crowd dispersal without reported major . Opposition-led protests, such as those by (BRS) members in August 2024 against Revanth Reddy's remarks on an opposition MLA, resulted in detentions of leaders including . In October 2024, demonstrators protesting alleged idol desecration in Hyderabad faced a lathi charge from police, prompting accusations from Union Minister of governmental inaction on the underlying issue despite the forceful dispersal. More recently, in October 2025, Backward Classes (BC) protests against a stay on 42% local body reservations escalated into violence, including an attack on a petrol pump in Hyderabad, leading to a statewide and shutdown, with police managing the unrest through heightened security but facing criticism for inadequate prevention. These incidents reflect a pattern of police-led interventions, including lathi charges and detentions, to contain protests, often coupled with public appeals from Revanth Reddy to de-escalate. Critics, including opposition parties and activists, have labeled the approach as heavy-handed, while the government maintains it prioritizes law and order amid fiscal constraints inherited from prior administrations.

International and overseas engagements

Foreign visits for investment

As Chief Minister of Telangana, A. Revanth Reddy has led multiple international delegations under the "TelanganaRising" initiative to promote the state as an investment destination, focusing on sectors such as , semiconductors, electric vehicles, and pharmaceuticals. These efforts have resulted in Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) totaling ₹2.44 crore across visits to key global hubs. In July-August 2024, Reddy undertook a 10-day tour to the and , engaging with industry leaders and securing ₹31,532 in investment commitments, contributing to a cumulative ₹81,564 from international outreach in his first eight months in office. Reddy's January 2025 itinerary included from to 19 for business meetings aimed at attracting ₹1 overall, followed by the in , , from January 20 to 22, where the delegation inked 20 MoUs valued at ₹1.79 . Earlier participation in the 2024 Davos summit had yielded ₹40,000 in pledges. In April 2025, a seven-day visit to from April 16 focused on industrial partnerships, resulting in ₹12,062 in commitments for job creation and growth in and sectors. Additional planned trips, such as to in early 2025, combined investment promotion with sports development outreach. These MoUs represent non-binding intent rather than guaranteed inflows, with realization dependent on subsequent negotiations and policy execution.

Diplomatic interactions

As Chief Minister of Telangana, A. Revanth Reddy has pursued sub-national diplomatic engagements to enhance bilateral ties, often focusing on sectors like , urban development, and investment facilitation. These interactions include hosting foreign delegations and meeting ambassadors in , distinct from his outbound investment missions. A notable example is the Bharat Summit held in Hyderabad in April 2025, where hosted over 350 delegates from more than 95 countries, including senior foreign leaders, ministers, and representatives from global think tanks, positioning the state as a pioneer in India's sub-national . In January 2024, shortly after assuming office, Reddy hosted a dinner for representatives from 13 countries at the Qutub Shahi Tombs in Hyderabad, aimed at building goodwill and exploring collaborative opportunities. On November 12, 2024, he met Dutch Ambassador to Marisa at his official residence in during a courtesy visit, discussing potential areas of cooperation. Reddy's engagements intensified in 2025. On September 15, he met the U.S. Consul General in Hyderabad to discuss strengthening U.S.- relations via the TRUST initiative, emphasizing new opportunities for in trade and policy alignment. Days later, on September 18 in , he held discussions with British High Commissioner to Lindy , urging partnerships in the Musi Riverfront rejuvenation project, education reforms—including extending the to students—and other infrastructure initiatives; expressed support for collaboration, including expertise on the state's draft . In 2025, Reddy hosted a U.S. delegation at the Secretariat, comprising policy experts from the and influential American figures, to advocate for revisiting U.S. trade and visa policies and inviting partnerships in 's growth sectors like the Future City project. These meetings, often conducted during Delhi visits alongside business outreach, underscore Reddy's strategy of leveraging diplomacy for state-level gains, though outcomes remain tied to broader national frameworks.

Electoral record

Legislative Assembly contests

Revanth Reddy first contested the from the constituency in the elections as a candidate of the (TDP), securing victory in a seat with 197,649 electors and 138,300 valid votes cast. Following internal differences, Reddy resigned from the TDP and joined the on October 31, 2017. He contested the 2018 elections from on a Congress ticket but was defeated by the (TRS, now ) candidate P. Narender Reddy by a margin of approximately 10,000 votes. Reddy did not contest subsequent Legislative Assembly elections immediately after winning the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha seat in 2019 as a Congress candidate. He returned to the Kodangal constituency in the 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly elections, winning with 107,429 votes (106,558 EVM + 871 postal) against the BRS candidate's 74,897 votes, achieving a margin of 32,532 votes.
Election YearPartyVotes ReceivedOpponent's VotesMarginResult
2014TDPNot specified in available recordsNot specifiedWonVictory
2018INCNot specifiedNot specified~10,000 (loss)Defeat
2023INC107,42974,897 (BRS)32,532Victory

Lok Sabha elections

Anumula Revanth Reddy contested the from the in as the candidate. He secured 603,748 votes, defeating the Telangana Rashtra Samithi nominee Marri Rajashekar Reddy, who polled 592,829 votes, by a narrow margin of 10,919 votes. The candidate Naraparaju Ramchander Rao received 304,282 votes, finishing third. Malkajgiri, noted as one of India's most populous constituencies with over 3 million electors, represented a significant upset for Congress in a region dominated by regional parties. Reddy's victory marked his entry into the , where he served as a from June 2019 until resigning in December 2023 following his election as a from and subsequent appointment as Chief Minister of Telangana. Prior to 2019, Reddy had not contested Lok Sabha elections, having focused on state assembly polls with the before switching to in 2017. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Reddy did not contest personally, prioritizing his role as Telangana president and chief ministerial campaign, though he actively supported party candidates, including in , which retained with S. Srinivas Reddy winning by over 30,000 votes against the contender. secured eight of 's 17 seats, aligning with Reddy's pre-poll projections of a strong performance amid against the previous BRS government.

Controversies and criticisms

Bribery allegations and arrests

On May 31, 2015, Revanth Reddy, then a (TDP) MLA from , was arrested by the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for allegedly attempting to nominated MLA with ₹50 lakh to secure support for TDP's candidate in the Graduates' Constituency bye-election for the . The ACB claimed Reddy was caught red-handed during a , with video evidence purportedly showing the transaction attempt, leading to charges under Section 12 of the (as applicable pre-2018 amendments, targeting bribe-givers indirectly via abetment), and Section 120B of the for criminal conspiracy. Following the , the ACB conducted raids on Reddy's residence and those of associates, recovering documents and , though no additional direct evidence of broader vote-buying networks was publicly detailed at the time. A charge sheet was filed in July 2015 against Reddy and co-accused, including TDP leaders, formalizing the and allegations. Reddy was granted shortly after, and the case proceeded through lower courts, with trials delayed amid jurisdictional and procedural challenges. Reddy has consistently contested the case's validity, arguing in the in October 2025 that the ACB trap was "completely illegal" due to lack of and tactics, rendering prosecution unsustainable under the pre-2018 Prevention of Act, which he claims did not criminalize bribe-giving without a public servant's demand. His counsel, senior advocate (earlier Mukul ), emphasized that Section 12 applied primarily to bribe-takers, not initiators, and post-2018 amendments inserting Section 9 (explicitly penalizing bribe-giving) could not retroactively apply. The heard arguments but has not quashed the case as of October 2025, with the matter listed for further hearing. No convictions have resulted from this allegation, and it remains the principal case directly involving Reddy's , though opposition figures from the (BRS) have referenced it alongside unproven claims of his involvement in other corruption probes, such as mentions in chargesheets related to the National Herald case, without leading to additional arrests on bribery charges.

Inflammatory public remarks

In December 2023, shortly after assuming office as , Revanth Reddy sparked widespread during an Roundtable by claiming that leader K. Chandrashekar Rao's "DNA is " and asserting that " DNA is better than DNA," linking it to KCR's caste origins and migration from . The remark drew sharp criticism from the , with leader labeling it "shameful, divisive and arrogant," demanding an apology from Reddy, the , and the bloc for insulting Biharis. Critics, including , condemned it as derogatory toward 's people, fueling accusations of regional amid Reddy's emphasis on 's distinct identity. On August 6, 2025, while protesting at Delhi's for presidential assent on Backward Class quota bills, Reddy warned that "whoever it is, whether rich or in any position, if he comes against Rahul Gandhi's command or rule, is going to write his death order," interpreted by opponents as a to political rivals opposing ideology. The Chief Minister's Office later clarified it referred to "political death," but the statement elicited backlash for its aggressive tone, with BJP leaders decrying it as authoritarian against dissenters. During a July 31, 2024, Telangana Assembly session debating the Vote on Account, Reddy's reference to two Bharat Rashtra Samithi women MLAs as akin to those at "Jubilee Bus Stand"—a Hyderabad location stereotyped with prostitution—triggered chaos, with opposition members protesting the perceived misogynistic slur and demanding an apology. The next day, Reddy retracted by stating he views women MLAs as "sisters," but BRS legislators continued protests with black badges, accusing him of disrespecting women in public office. In March 2025, addressing online abuse against him and his family, Reddy threatened that perpetrators "will be stripped, paraded in public," evoking vigilante-style punishment reminiscent of historical shaming practices, which opponents criticized as inciting mob violence and eroding . This followed a pattern of heated responses to criticism, including an August 2025 outburst where he expressed feeling "like slapping" young journalists for perceived biased questioning. Such statements have been attributed by supporters to Reddy's combative political style, but detractors argue they undermine civil discourse and risk communal or regional tensions.

Allegations of governance failures and corruption probes

Opposition parties, including the (BRS) and (BJP), have leveled accusations of administrative incompetence against the Revanth Reddy-led government in , citing delays in disbursing funds for such as building rents for Gurukul welfare residential schools, which BRS working president described as exposing "utter incompetence" on October 8, 2025. further demanded a public apology from Reddy on September 6, 2025, for broader governance lapses amid public resentment over unfulfilled promises and financial strain. These criticisms extended to an alleged agrarian and , with Rao attributing it to policy shortcomings on September 5, 2025. Infrastructure-related failures have drawn particular scrutiny, including the government's handling of the Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapse in February 2025, where Rao alleged systemic and leading to worker fatalities and delays in body retrieval operations as late as May 21, 2025. BRS leader criticized inadequate flood relief efforts on September 22, 2025, labeling the response as "completely inadequate" amid ongoing recovery needs. BJP leaders have highlighted internal conflicts, lack of transparency, and failure to deliver on key election pledges like welfare schemes, as noted in party statements on October 24, 2025. Regarding corruption probes, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) demanded an investigation into alleged irregularities in the Excise Department on October 23, 2025, urging Reddy to order a probe amid claims of graft under his administration. BJP state chief called for a formal inquiry into unspecified allegations against Reddy on October 17, 2025, linking the Congress regime to systemic corruption. Reddy's name appeared in an chargesheet related to the National Herald case, prompting BRS accusations of exposed corruption on May 23, 2025, though no convictions have resulted. A 2015 cash-for-vote case against Reddy, involving an alleged attempt to influence a nominated MLA's vote, was quashed by the and upheld by the on September 27, 2025, with his counsel arguing the Anti-Corruption Bureau trap was procedurally illegal under the Prevention of Corruption Act as applicable then. These probes and demands largely stem from political rivals, with no independent judicial findings of guilt in ongoing matters as of October 2025.

References

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