Counter Andhra Pradesh claims: K Chandrasekhar Rao

 

Mr Chandrasekhar Rao said that the Telangana movement had emerged due to the discrimination and neglect of the region. He said the TRS government had focussed only on development, fulfilling needs of people with the innovative practices and strategies to build ‘Bangaru Telangana’.

 

Quoting noted economist Ch. Hanumantha Rao, the CM said funds from Telangana were diverted to Seemandhra in undivided AP, which had stopped now. This made Telangana a revenue surplus state.

 

“The propaganda that AP suffered losses and Telangana gained due to the bifurcation is not correct. It’s a mad calculation. We have to counter such false propaganda countrywide effectively,” he told the three-day orientation class for TRS leaders which began on Saturday at Nagarjunasagar.

 

“The undivided AP government spent lavishly in Andhra region. When the expenditure came down after bifurcation, it is being projected as if AP is deficit,” he said. Ministers and TRS legislators are attending the orientation session. Apart from Mr Ch Hanumantha Rao, former Chief Election Commissioner J.M. Lyngdoh and other experts spoke.

 

Mr Rao said he had taken up said Mission Kakatiya and KG-to-PG education to help the poor and underprivileged to face globalisation. Turning philosophical to explain the rationale for the orientation classes, the CM said no man is perfect and learning was a continuous process. He said one has to set aside bloated egos and learn as much as possible in the short span of life.

 

“India is afflicted with a strange disease. It has spread over the years. There are certain specimens. Politicians, MLAs, ministers and CM should be like this. It’s good to stay dignified, but one should not overdo it,” he said.

 

“Some may ask whether ministers and MLAs should be taught like students. Once you serve as minister, MLA or CM, some feel that they should not do anything more. It’s wrong. Life is short and we have to learn till our last breath,” he said.

 

Mr Rao said Presi-dents and PM in several countries turn professors in universities after they lay down office. “They don’t have egos, but in our country we have ego. These positions are not permanent. Some can’t speak English fluently and feel bad. We can learn it. Practice makes a man perfect,” he said.

 

He said the government would organise day-long orientation classes henceforth every six months. “We can refresh, rethink and learn things,” he said. 

Heaping praise on Mr Hanumantha Rao and Mr Lyngdoh for their contribution to society and accepting their suggestions in good governance.

 

He noted that Mr Hanumantha Rao, who worked with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and was a colleague of Dr Manmohan Singh — who later became the Prime Minister — in the Delhi School of Economics. Mr Hanumantha Rao could have become a Governor, Rajya Sabha member and Union minister but he did not lobby for the posts, the Chief Minister noted.

 

“His talent was not projected in Telangana in undivided Andhra Pradesh. If the same Hanumantha Rao had been born in Andhra, he would have been praised sky high,” Mr Chandrasekhar Rao said.