Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday said the mandate given by the urban voters in the municipal elections reflected the trust and confidence they had in the two years of the Congress govt, in him as the chief minister, as well as municipal administration minister.“The Congress secured a clear majority in over 80% of the ULBs and is heading towards winning 85 to 90% of them. My comments that — ‘nene raju, nene mantri’ — were misinterpreted. What I meant was that I am both the CM and the municipal minister. Therefore, whether it is victory or defeat in municipal elections, I will have to take the responsibility. The results reflect my work as the municipal minister and as the CM,” Revanth said while addressing the Sant Sevalal Jayanti celebrations at Banjara Bhavan in Banjara Hills.Taking a dig at the BRS, Revanth said the BRS had not learnt its lesson despite being defeated in the assembly, parliament and subsequent elections in the state. “The people experienced its governance and decisively voted it out of power. But instead of introspecting over its mistakes, the party is blaming voters for its defeat,” he alleged.In an indirect reference to KCR’s family, Revanth alleged that they and their children believe they were born to rule. “I have never thought of myself as a ruler. I have always maintained that people elected us to serve them. My frame of mind is not to be thrilled when we win elections and get depressed when we lose,” he said.The Congress govt wants SCs, STs, BCs, and marginalised communities to become partners in governance and in the reconstruction of Telangana. “There is no land bank with the govt for distribution to the poor. The only way SCs, STs and other downtrodden communities can develop is through education, and this govt will provide it to you at all costs,” Revanth assured.He announced that the ‘Sant Sevalal Punya Kshetram’ (holy pilgrimage centre) would be established in Achampet forest by Feb 15 next year, and announced the allocation of Rs 15 crore for the project. He directed officials, including the chief secretary, to lay BT roads connecting every tanda and gudem, extend drinking water facilities, and construct water tanks, school buildings and gram panchayat buildings. The CM said STs, especially the lambada community youth, had played a crucial role in the growth of his political career.
