Ministers in Telangana Assembly Praise Sonia Gandhi’s Role in Statehood

Hyderabad: Several ministers speaking in the Legislative Assembly on Monday recalled the role of Congress senior Sonia Gandhi, who they said, was instrumental in Telangana achieving statehood. They were speaking after Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s statement thanking Sonia Gandhi for granting statehood, and greeting her on her birthday.

Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy described Sonia Gandhi as the sole driving force behind Telangana's creation. “This must be solely credited to the resolute leadership and unwavering commitment of Sonia Gandhi. The announcement of Telangana’s creation on December 9, 2009, remains a landmark day in the state’s history. This day must be recognized in perpetuity for its significance,” he said.

Uttam Kumar Reddy also pointed out that it was only Sonia Gandhi’s determination that ensured Hyderabad’s inclusion in Telangana and the allocation of its revenue exclusively to the state. Recalling his participation in Telangana’s formation, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that he had presented strong arguments for a separate state, and provided comprehensive documentation to the Srikrishna Commission detailing why the inclusion of Hyderabad in Telangana.

Minister Danasari ‘Seethakka’ Anasuya said she was jailed for fighting for a separate state, and irrespective of which party or group she was associated with, she always fought for Telangana. She also targeted BJP MLAs saying it was top BJP leaders who mocked the process of the state formation.

Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha thanked the Chief Minister for the installation of the new Telangana Talli statue at the Secretariat and recalled how despite being fully aware that Congress may suffer politically if Telangana is formed Sonia Gandhi went ahead with the decision displaying her commitment to the people of the state.

Tourism minister Jupally Krishna Rao extending birthday wishes to Sonia Gandhi, said she was the one leader who realised the sacrifices of the people of the state, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice of giving up their lives in the cause of statehood. “Like a mother who takes care of her children, Sonia Gandhi made the dream of the people of Telangana come true,” he said.