The political rivalry in Telangana continues to intensify as K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy lock horns over major public expenditure decisions and allegations of financial mismanagement. The latest controversy revolves around the Formula E scam case and the upcoming Miss World competition, both of which have sparked heated debate.
 

The Formula E Controversy and ED Investigation

The controversy started when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was tasked with investigating alleged financial irregularities involving KTR and the Formula E race, which took place in Hyderabad during the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) tenure. The event, which was held to promote Hyderabad’s image as a global destination, involved an expenditure of ₹46 crore from public funds. However, the investigation into this case has reportedly slowed down in recent weeks. Despite the reduced momentum, the issue has resurfaced with KTR criticizing the ruling government’s expenditure priorities.
 

KTR’s Dig at Revanth Reddy

In a recent social media statement, KTR targeted Revanth Reddy by linking the Formula E controversy to the upcoming Miss World competition, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from May 7, 2024. Highlighting the expenditure disparity, KTR remarked. “Apparently spending ₹46 crore for the Formula E race in Hyderabad was wrong and will attract cases being filed. But spending ₹200 crore of public money to conduct Miss World, a beauty contest, is right! What is this perverse logic? Can you please explain?”. Through this statement, KTR questioned Revanth Reddy’s justification for spending nearly five times the Formula E budget on the Miss World competition. KTR emphasized that the Formula E race not only enhanced Hyderabad’s global profile but also contributed to the city's reputation in the international sporting arena.
 

Revanth Reddy’s Vision for Hyderabad

In response to the criticism, Revanth Reddy defended his government’s decision to host the Miss World event. He emphasized that bringing globally recognized events like Miss World aligns with his vision to elevate Hyderabad into a world-class city. According to Revanth, such high-profile events would attract global attention, boost tourism, and create investment opportunities. Revanth further clarified that the issue surrounding the Formula E race wasn’t about hosting the event itself but rather allegations of financial mismanagement involving KTR.
 

The ongoing exchange highlights the growing political tension between Telangana's ruling Congress government and the BRS opposition. While Revanth Reddy focuses on projecting Hyderabad as a global hub through grand-scale events, KTR continues to criticize what he calls the "misplaced" expenditure priorities. The ₹200 crore budget for the Miss World event has triggered mixed reactions among Telangana’s citizens. While some view it as a bold step toward global prominence, others question the heavy spending at a time when public welfare and infrastructure issues remain prominent concerns. With the ED probe into the Formula E case still underway, the political feud is expected to escalate in the coming months. The outcome of the investigation, along with the success or failure of the Miss World event, could significantly impact Telangana’s political landscape ahead of the next elections. As Hyderabad continues its journey to establish itself as a major international destination, the debate surrounding public spending, accountability, and political strategy remains a critical talking point.