Mulugu, Oct 18 (UNI) AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi emphasized that for the realisation of Telangana people’s aspirations, Congress must come to power in the state.
Addressing a public gathering named “Congress Vijaya Bheri,” held in Mulugu on Wednesday evening, she pointed out that despite political challenges, Ms Sonia Gandhi granted Telangana statehood by respecting the desires of the people.
The people of Telangana had expected social justice, employment opportunities, and improved conditions for farmers following the creation of the state. However, these expectations were not met by the current government.
Ms Priyanka noted that leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi had always prioritized long-term benefits over political gains. The Congress party had allocated numerous national institutes for the long-term benefit of the state and had devised a comprehensive development roadmap for Telangana. Ms. Priyanka asserted that to fulfill the aspirations of the people, Congress must come to power in the state.
She alleged that the BRS and BJP had merged, with the BRS being controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ms Priyanka accused the BRS of engaging in land mafia, sand mafia, and liquor mafia activities, alleging that they had looted thousands of crores’ worth of land in Ranga Reddy district.
Additionally, she claimed that Budhan lands had been seized after being taken offline, and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had deceived the people by promising to make the state a “Bangaru Telangana” (Golden Telangana). She criticized the concentration of 18 portfolios in the hands of KCR’s family members and the under-representation of the Backward Class, which constitutes 50 percent of the state’s population, with only three ministers in the cabinet.
Ms. Priyanka called for a caste-wise census to ensure justice for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and the Backward Class, arguing that without knowledge of their population, it was impossible to deliver equitable treatment.
Former AICC president Rahul Gandhi stated that these elections were a choice between the Telangana of the elite and the Telangana of the people. He highlighted that Congress had promised to create Telangana in 2004, and it had delivered on that promise. In contrast, KCR had made several commitments that went unfulfilled, including the pledge to allocate three acres to each Dalit family, provide double-bedroom houses, and waive crop loans up to Rs one lakh. Rahul underscored that Congress had upheld its commitments in states under its rule.
He lauded Congress-led initiatives in other states, such as free medical care upto Rs 25 lakhs in Rajasthan, the high purchase price of paddy at Rs 2,500 per quintal in Chhattisgarh, free transportation for women in Karnataka, and a monthly allowance of Rs 2,500 for women.
Rahul criticised the BJP, claiming that it had lost its influence in Telangana and was collaborating with BRS in a bid to win the state. He also criticized the alliance formed to oppose Congress and encouraged voters to consider the potential consequences of their choices.
Speaking on the occasion, TPCC President A. Revanth Reddy, MP, expressed his frustration with the KCR government, asserting that the Congress party has been the sole party to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Telangana after a wait of 60 years.
Revanth Reddy called on the public to liberate Telangana from the influence of the KCR family. He emphasized the significant sacrifices made by students and youth to achieve the formation of Telangana and voiced concerns about the prevalence of corruption and disorder in the state.
The Congress leader announced that if the party comes to power, they will provide Rs. 1 lakh in cash and a gold “Tulam” (10 grams) under the Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak schemes. He added that Sonia Gandhi has taken on the responsibility of ensuring that every girl child in Telangana possesses a gold necklace.
In her address, Mulugu MLA Sitakka accused the BRS of copying the Congress manifesto. She underlined that Orugallu, historically known for its struggles, is a land that stands for the rights of the poor. Sitakka criticized the BRS party for allegedly exacerbating the plight of the impoverished.
