Thanking Congress president Sonia Gandhi for granting statehood for Telangana, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said that formation of Congress party’s government in Telangana in 2019 would be the best gift for her.
Uttam Kumar Reddy led the grand celebrations of Sonia Gandhi’s 71st birthday on Saturday which was celebrated as “Krithagnatha Dinotsavam” (Thanksgiving Day) for turning 60-year-old dream of Telangana State into a reality. The celebrations began at the party headquarters Gandhi Bhavan with the cutting of cake by the TPCC President.
Addressing a meeting later, Uttam Kumar Reddy said people of Telangana would remain indebted to Sonia Gandhi for the historic decision which was first announced on her birthday in 2009. He said Sonia Gandhi was moved by the sacrifices made by youth and students for the statehood cause. “Sonia Gandhi wanted the people of Telangana to have access to all the resources and opportunities. She wanted unemployment to be eradicated from the region. She wished that all students of Telangana get free and quality education. Therefore, she granted Telangana to award self-rule to the people,” he said.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said after Sonia Gandhi announced Telangana in 2009, several conspiracies were hatched to stop the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. She was warned of serious political consequences if Telangana is granted. However, just to honour her commitment, she granted Telangana. “Sonia Gandhi preferred people of Telangana over seats and power. By fulfilling her commitment, she brought everlasting smiles on the faces of nearly 4 crore people of Telangana,” he said.
Stating that Sonia Gandhi had wished for a prosperous and happy Telangana, Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao had shattered the original dream of Telangana. “Instead of initiating the process of development, TRS Government took Telangana in a reverse direction. Wrong policies of TRS Government pushed Telangana into huge debt crisis. Over 30 lakh jobless youth are waiting for placements. KCR’s negligence led over 3,500 farmers to suicide. Dalits, Tribals and BCs were subjected to humiliation and injustices. Muslims were cheated on the promise of 12% reservation. Students were denied Fee Reimbursement and Scholarships. Women’s welfare was completely ignored. Overall, three-and-a-half year TRS rule proved a nightmare for all sections of the society,” he said.
Further, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that KCR Government was deeply mired in corruption and irregularities. While farmers were kept hooked to their debts for over three years by splitting the crop loan waiver amount into four instalments, TRS Govt opened State’s exchequer for contractors only to get commissions. While poor people are still waiting to get the promised double bed room houses, KCR and his family is living a lavish lifestyle in Rs. 500 crore Pragati Bhavan.
Making a mention of suicide by OU student Murali Mudiraj, he said youth and students were committing suicide out of disappointment over not getting jobs. He also accused KCR Govt for booking false cases against those protested against the suicide.
The TPCC chief also listed out various achievements of previous UPA Government under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi as UPA Chairperson. He said that Sonia Gandhi ensured a transparent and accountable government which worked towards the welfare and empowerment of all sections of the society, especially poor. Several laws were enacted which empowered the common man. He said that the credit of Food Security Act, National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Right to Information Act and Right to Education Act among others goes to Sonia Gandhi.
“Every Congress worker has a duty to spread the message of Sonia Gandhi to each and every household in Telangana. We must be more active in exposing the failures of TRS Government. We should not allow KCR to continue his misrule and sabotage the dream of Telangana. Sonia Gandhi gave us an invaluable gift in the shape of Telangana and bringing Congress party to power in 2019 elections will be best return gift we must give her,” Uttam exhorted party workers.
Senior leaders including S. Jaipal Reddy, Sarve Satyanarayana, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, V. Hanumantha Rao, Dasoju Sravan, Mallu Ravi, Sabitha Indira Reddy, Sudhir Reddy, Anjan Kumar Yadav, Seethakka and other leaders addressed a meeting organised by Hyderabad City Congress president Danam Nagender. Meanwhile, Kodangal MLA A. Revanth Reddy made his maiden visit to Gandhi Bhavan on the occasion. He came in a massive rally and also addressed the meeting.
Sonia Gandhi’s birthday celebrations were also organised at a grand scale in all the districts of Telangana where party workers conducted blood donation and health-check up camps and also distributed food, fruits and clothes among the poor. (INN)