Kiran Reddy sets ‘right’ Telangana men’s ‘wrongs’

Hyderabad: Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on Thursday countered what he described as “false propaganda” of the Telangana protagonists alleging exploitation of natural resources in Telangana by Seemandhra rulers.

Maintaining that he was trying to defuse tension among people of the state, which was the result of “lies” spread by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti, the Chief Minister turned philosophical on the division issue, contrary to his earlier aggressive posture.

“Whether the state remains united or divided, people should coexist peacefully and in a friendly manner,” he said.

Next: Most of coal used in Telangana region, says Chief Minister

Most of coal used in Telangana region, says Chief Minister

Hyderabad: Resuming his speech on the Telangana Bill in the Assembly on Thursday, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy referred to the allegations of plundering the Singareni coal mines to supply raw material for Seemandhra projects and said that not a single tonne of Singareni coal was used for projects in Coastal Andhra districts. As much as 185 lakh tonne of coal was used for thermal projects in Telangana and 38 lakh tonne for projects in Rayalaseema, he said, adding that APGenco procured coal for Andhra projects spending huge amounts.

As Reddy explained in detail, with statistics, several issues including power, irrigation and natural resources, the TRS and BJP members tried their best to disrupt the proceedings. The Chief Minister dared the members to counter his speech. “You cannot digest someone coming out with facts because it will shatter your lies,” he said.

At one stage, the Chief Minister turned aggressive and asked TRS member T. Harish Rao not to cross limits and behave in a dignified manner. He reacted sharply after the TRS member shouted that the Chief Minister had been resorting to blatant lies without any shame.

Reddy’s speech was also disrupted by Telangana Congress members. While he was explaining the adverse impact of the division on farmers of Telangana and how successive governments had spent huge amounts for irrigation development in the region, IT minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah, who had earlier held the irrigation portfolio, wanted to intervene. The Chair, however, refused to allow Lakshmaiah to speak, prompting all Telangana members, cutting across party lines, to demand that the minister be given an opportunity to speak.