Telangana: Congress to Hold Public Meeting in Thukkuguda

Hyderabad: The Congress, which will be holding its first revamped CWC (Congress Working Committee) meeting in Hyderabad, has zeroed in on Thukkuguda, located 23 kilometres from the city, for its public rally after being denied the nod to use the Parade Ground.

At the rally, the Congress will announce its much-awaited five promises for the state, which are currently being worked on. Sources, however, said these are likely to include the Rs 2 lakh loan waiver for farmers, and Rs 4,000 monthly pensions for the elderly, widows, physically challenged, beedi workers, single women, toddy tappers, handloom workers, AIDS patients, and filaria and dialysis patients.

The other promises are likely to be the notification and fulfilment of two lakh job vacancies within a year, making available LPG cylinders at Rs 500 for domestic use and implementing free bus rides for women.

The party’s general secretary, K.C. Venugopal, on Wednesday visited the Gachibowli Stadium and the LB Stadium as possible venues, but considering the party’s attempt to accommodate around 5-6 lakh people, Thukkuguda was considered as it can accommodate up to 10 lakh people.

The Congress, which will hold the CWC meeting at the Taj Krishna hotel, had sought permission to hold its rally at Parade Ground. But with the BJP changing its plan to hold the Telangana Liberation Day celebration from Warangal to Hyderabad, Parade Ground became unavailable for the September 17 event.

The CWC meeting will have in attendance Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, besides PCC presidents, CLP leaders and Parliamentary standing committee members, who number around 150.  

“The details of who will sit on stage and other details of the public meeting will soon be worked out as they are covered by the SPG,” a senior party leader said.