The Congress government in Telangana appears to be targeting BRS Working President and former minister KTR for political vendetta. KTR’s consistent efforts to highlight the failures of the Congress government may have irked the ruling dispensation, which is blaming him even without valid reasons.
Particularly when faced with growing public dissent, the Congress is accused of using diversionary tactics to deflect attention. The latest example is the inquiry into the Formula-E race, for which the government recently claimed the Governor had granted permission.
Formula-E races are prestigious international events organized by the Federation of International Automobile (FIA). These races aim to promote electric vehicles, reduce carbon emissions, and create environmental awareness. Globally, cities like New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Beijing, Seoul, Monaco, and Shanghai have successfully hosted these events.
Hyderabad joined this elite list by hosting the 9th season of the Formula-E race between February 5-11, 2023—a first-of-its-kind event for India. This milestone was achieved through the efforts of then Municipal Administration Minister KTR, positioning Hyderabad as a global city.
The event garnered worldwide attention, with car enthusiasts from 150 countries tuning in through live broadcasts and media coverage. Notably, 31,000 people traveled to Hyderabad to witness the race in person, boosting the city’s global visibility and economic activity.
Ahead of the 2023 Telangana Assembly elections, KTR, in his capacity as Municipal Administration Minister, approved the allocation of Rs. 55 crore from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) to manage the race. The funds were to serve as interim support while sponsors were identified. HMDA, an autonomous body, acted as the nodal agency for the event, and the money was transferred to the race management company for operational purposes. Additionally, the HMDA does not require approval from the finance department to transfer funds under its purview..
After coming to power, the Congress government abruptly canceled the Formula-E race. Following this decision, the race management company did not return the funds allocated earlier. Despite the clear timeline and purpose of the fund utilization, the Congress has now raised allegations of corruption against KTR, accusing him of misappropriating funds
KTR has been vocal in dismissing the allegations as politically motivated. Addressing the issue directly, he clarified, “After Greenco withdrew from the second phase of the event, the government approved Rs. 55 crore to promote Hyderabad’s global image through this race. I personally signed off on the allocation, and the HMDA Secretary Arvind Kumar acted on my instructions. If there’s any case to file, let it be filed against me. I am ready for any investigation and have nothing to fear.”
KTR also criticized the Congress government’s attempts to defame him, citing previous failed accusations such as the Janwada farmhouse case, phone-tapping allegations, and drug-related rumors. None of these cases yielded evidence, and public trust in him remained intact.
While the Congress paints the Formula-E Race as a controversy, independent studies highlight the significant economic benefits Telangana reaped from hosting the event. A report by Nielsen Sports Analysis revealed that the Formula-E race generated an economic impact of approximately Rs. 700 crore for Telangana. Additionally, Hyderabad’s inclusion among global cities like Tokyo, London, and Berlin elevated its status as a prime international destination for events and investments.
Political analysts believe the Congress is using the Formula-E inquiry as a distraction from its failures. Experts argue that the case lacks substance and is merely a technical issue being exaggerated for political mileage.