Are they human? Revanth Reddy claims BRS listened in on husband-wife calls
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy alleges widespread surveillance and corruption under BRS rule, raising concerns over privacy and governance in Telangana.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Rashtra Samiti (BRS), accusing the former ruling party of carrying out widespread phone-tapping during its decade-long rule, including monitoring private conversations between husbands and wives. "Are they human at all?" He lashed out at BRS.
Speaking at a public meeting in Miryalaguda, Reddy referred to the ongoing probe into alleged unauthorised surveillance under the previous BRS government.
He claimed that the party’s leadership not only targeted political opponents and public figures but also intruded into the personal lives of ordinary citizens.
Reddy questioned the scale of the alleged spying, asking, "Does anyone listen to the phone conversations between a husband and wife? They did not spare judges, journalists, opposition leaders, or even film actors. Why did they do this? Are they human at all? Can anyone who listens to others’ phone calls even be called human?"
The Chief Minister’s remarks come as the Telangana Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues its inquiry into allegations of illegal phone tapping during the BRS tenure.
As part of the investigation, BRS chief and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was questioned for nearly five hours at his residence on February 1.
Reddy also accused the BRS leadership of enriching itself at the expense of the state over 10 years in power.
He alleged, "They ruled for a decade and looted Telangana. They earned crores of rupees. Even amassing wealth could be tolerated. But they tapped phones and listened to conversations between husbands and wives. Would there be such disgraceful people anywhere?"
Demanding accountability, he said those responsible should face strict treatment. "If a person commits such a crime, he should be brought, covering his head with a black hood, like criminals. Former ministers Harish Rao and KT Rama Rao should have been brought for questioning with their heads covered," he added.
Reddy also mocked BRS leaders for calling KCR the "father of Telangana," remarking that the former CM was "great only for his party leaders". He called on the BRS to issue an official apology for what he described as misrule.
On the political front, the Chief Minister urged voters to reject inducements, while sarcastically suggesting they could accept money offered by rivals but vote freely.
He also outlined welfare plans, including a proposed Rs 9,000 crore transfer to farmers under the Rythu Bharosa scheme after municipal elections, and highlighted agricultural spending of around Rs 1.10 lakh crore over the past two years.