Looking at us like we're thieves: Revanth Reddy warns of Telangana's bankruptcy

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy made a series of candid admissions and painted a bleak picture of Telangana’s creditworthiness. In an impassioned appeal to government employees, he urged them to reconsider their strike threats and instead work with the state to navigate what he described as a “financial minefield” left behind by the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government.

Speaking at the Telangana Police Real Heroes Zee Awards in Hyderabad on Monday, Reddy acknowledged the growing unrest among employee unions over delayed salaries and pending allowances. But he was blunt about the state’s fiscal condition: “Even if you cut me into pieces, I can’t raise more than Rs 18,500 crore per month,” he said, warning that the gap between revenue and expenditure — estimated at Rs 4,000 crore — was pushing the state toward bankruptcy.

“No one is lending us money. Not a single



paisa is being given. No one believes us anymore. They’re looking at Telangana representatives like we’re thieves. When we go to Delhi, no one even gives us an appointment, thinking we would steal their slippers, if called,” he remarked, drawing attention to the reputational damage inherited from the previous regime.

He said the BRS government left the Congress with over Rs 8,500 crore in unpaid retirement benefits and massive arrears in the power and infrastructure sectors. “They declared free electricity, but didn’t pay the coal bills for Singareni Collieries. Contractors are owed thousands of crores. They borrowed at 11% interest. Can there be anything more evil?” he asked.

Reddy extended an open invitation to union leaders: “Walk with me to steer the State toward development. If you have concerns, speak to the finance minister or Secretary. We are willing to be transparent.”