Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao not only cheated people, but also God.
Uttam Kumar Reddy and other senior leaders of Congress party, who were in temple town of Bhadrachalam on Wednesday as part of Praja Chaintanya Yatra, performed special pooja at famous Sri Ramachandraswamy Temple located on the banks of Godavari River.
Addressing a press conference later, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the Chief Minister did not honour his promise of developing the Bhadrachalam town at a cost of Rs. 100 crore. “Bhadrachalam is a pious location and any promises made in this town are like promises made directly with God. While participating in the Sri Rama Navmi celebrations about two years ago, he had promised to develop Bhadrachalam by spending Rs. 100 crore. But so far, TRS Government did not spend even 100 rupees for the progress of this temple town. KCR was notorious for cheating people by not fulfilling the promises made with them. But this time, he did not spare even God,” he said
Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the previous Congress regime had planned to develop Bhadrachalam as Temple City. However, due to the sudden demise of Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and other political developments like Telangana movement, the plan could not be implemented. However, he said that the TRS Government had the opportunity to develop Bhadrachalam. However, KCR remained focus only on gaining illegal wealth and power and completely ignored his duties as the Chief Minister during the last four years. Stating that the Congress party was all set to return to power in next election, he promised that the Congress Government would develop Bhadrachalam as Temple City.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said that Bhadrahalam was famous for its ancient Lord Sri Rama’s Temple. The town was linked only with spiritualism and devotion. However, TRS Government has ruined this image by turning Bhadrachalam as the epicentre of illegal sand mining. He said sand worth thousands of crores was illegally being smuggled to other areas from Bhadrachalam. People associated with sand mafia have outnumbered the devotees who are visiting the Sri Rama’s temple due to KCR Government, he alleged adding that illegal sand mining has been rampant from Bhadrachalam to Wazedu and Venkatapuram.
The TPCC chief said that KCR and Assembly Speaker S. Madhusudan Chary have lost moral right to continue on their posts after Hyderabad High Court reversed the decision of expulsion of two Congress MLAs A. Sampath Kumar and Komatireddy Venkatreddy. He said both the Congress MLAs were expelled illegally and in an undemocratic manner. He said that HC verdict has vindicated the stand of Congress party on the issue.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said through the Praja Chaitanya Yatra, Congress party has been sensitising the Tribals on their rights. He alleged that the TRS Government has been taking away land from Tribals in the name of Harithaharam and other schemes. He said Tribals, who have been doing cultivation on those lands since generations, are being deprived of their rights. He claimed that the bus yatra has been major success in the entire Tribal belt.
TPCC Working President Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Leader of Opposition in Council Shabbir Ali, ex-MP Balram Naik and other senior leaders were also present.
Uttam Kumar Reddy also did a road show at a few places in Bhadrachalam Town. Later, he visited the Kamalapuram unit of Ballapur Industries Ltd and interacted with the workers who are suffering due to the closure of unit in 2014. The workers told him that the management owes salaries of 32 months to nearly 700 employees. The TPCC Chief assured that the Congress leaders would speak to the Chief Secretary, management and would extend all possible help to the affected workers.
Later, the TPCC chief addressed a public meeting at Wazedu in Bhadrachalam Assembly constituency and another meeting at Mulugu. (NSS)