Ponguleti Challenges BRS Over 22A Lands, Says Congress Government Has Completed 1,000 Days in Telangana

Hyderabad, September 2, 2026: Telangana Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy has launched a sharp attack on the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), challenging its leaders to debate the issue of 22A lands in the state Assembly. He also defended the Congress government's record, saying its administration under the banner of “Indiramma Rajyam” had completed 1,000 days.

Speaking to the media in Hyderabad on Wednesday, Ponguleti accused the BRS and BJP of failing to perform their responsibilities as opposition parties. He said the government was prepared to discuss the 22A land issue in the Assembly and challenged BRS leaders to present their arguments on the matter.

The minister warned against using disputed or restricted land issues as a means to conduct what he described as improper activities. His remarks came amid an increasingly confrontational political atmosphere in Telangana, with the ruling Congress and opposition BRS trading allegations over governance, land administration and welfare schemes.

Government Highlights Welfare Spending

Ponguleti said the Congress government had spent around ₹1.76 lakh crore on farmers during its first 1,000 days in office. He pointed specifically to the government's decision to provide a ₹500 bonus per quintal on paddy.

The minister contrasted this with statements made during the previous BRS administration and argued that the Congress government had taken steps to provide greater support to farmers.

He also said the present government had cleared pending payments related to schemes including Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak. According to Ponguleti, outstanding payments owed to village sarpanches during the earlier administration had also been addressed by the Congress government.

The minister further claimed that the state was carrying the burden of loans and pending liabilities accumulated during the previous government. He put the borrowing during the K. Chandrashekar Rao-led administration at ₹8.21 lakh crore.

More Pensions and Housing Plans

Ponguleti said the government planned to sanction another three lakh pensions. He also maintained that the Congress administration was working to provide housing to economically weaker sections.

He said double-bedroom houses were being constructed in core areas and accused the BRS of attempting to obstruct the distribution of valuable land to poorer sections.

The minister also pointed to the Congress government's plans for Young India Integrated Schools and said that hostel students had received increases in mess and cosmetic allowances.

At the same time, he acknowledged that not every promise contained in the Congress manifesto had yet been completed. He said the government would implement its commitments progressively.

Attack on Previous BRS Government

Ponguleti repeatedly compared the Congress government's first 1,000 days with the previous BRS administration. He argued that the Congress period had performed better despite the financial challenges inherited by the new government.

He questioned the BRS over its record on housing, ration cards and support for Dalits. He also referred to the previous government's promises concerning podu lands in Khammam and financial support for the development of the Ram temple at Bhadrachalam.

The minister alleged that investigations were underway into land-related issues associated with the Dharani system introduced during the BRS regime. He also questioned how members of the former ruling family's wealth had grown to thousands of crores.

Ponguleti's remarks extended to BRS working president K. T. Rama Rao as well. He criticised what he described as inappropriate comments directed at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and warned that political opponents could not expect public acceptance for language he considered disrespectful.

Congress Says More Promises Will Follow

While defending the government's performance, Ponguleti said the Congress administration still had several commitments to fulfil. He maintained that implementation would continue in stages.

He also said the government would deliver on its proposed measures concerning Osmania University.

The minister criticised former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao for what he described as inadequate participation in the role of Leader of the Opposition. He argued that the former chief minister should offer constructive suggestions on issues affecting people rather than limiting his political role to criticism of the government.

Ponguleti also referred to internal political developments within the BRS and alleged that statements made by former BRS leader K. Kavitha had raised questions about the party's relationship with the BJP.

Political Battle Intensifies

The minister's comments underline the growing political contest between the Congress government and the BRS as the ruling party seeks to present its first 1,000 days as a period of welfare spending and policy implementation.

Land administration, housing, farmer support, pensions and the financial liabilities inherited from the previous government remain central points of political debate.

By challenging the BRS to debate the 22A land issue in the Assembly, Ponguleti has signalled that the Congress government intends to take the confrontation with the opposition directly into the legislature. His broader message was that the government would continue with its welfare and development agenda while defending itself against criticism from the BRS.

The latest exchange is likely to keep land administration and the performance of the Congress government's first 1,000 days at the centre of Telangana's political discourse.