Uttam campaigns for Maha polls, appeals voters to bring MVA into power

Hyderabad:Irrigation and civil supplies minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy appealed to Maharashtra voters to reject what he termed as the BJP’s divisive politics and support the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition in the ongoing Assembly elections. Uttam participated in a public meeting in support of all MVA candidates in the Latur district in Maharashtra on Wednesday.

Uttam Kumar Reddy asserted that the Congress, as part of the MVA, was committed to a development plan to promote inclusive growth in Maharashtra. He highlighted the significance of the Maharashtra Assembly election, calling it a “turning point” for the state and the country, affecting both local governance and the broader social fabric. "This election is not just about Maharashtra, it’s about setting a course for the entire country," he noted, adding that Congress’s vision aligned with Maharashtra's rich legacy of reform and unity.

He criticised the BJP for prioritising political gain over Maharashtra’s development, alleging that the party had shifted 17 major industrial projects out of Maharashtra to Gujarat, a move he described as detrimental to Maharashtra’s economic interests. Uttam underscored that Congress aimed to restore the state’s “dignity and rightful place” in the national economy, promising to counter the BJP’s policies if the MVA coalition came to power.

The minister also referred to the MVA's success in previous Lok Sabha elections, pointing to the coalition’s 31-seat win in the last Lok Sabha elections out of Maharashtra’s 48 seats. He outlined the coalition’s ambitious target of securing over 200 seats in the current Assembly elections, framing the contest as “more than a political race” but a movement to reclaim Maharashtra’s pride and progress.

He elaborated on the Congress’s 5 Guarantees for Maharashtra, designed to address the needs of women, farmers, unemployed youth, and socially disadvantaged communities. The Mahalakshmi scheme, a major promise, includes monthly financial assistance of Rs 3,000 and free bus travel for women to promote economic empowerment. For farmers, Congress has committed to waiving loans up to Rs 3 lakh, with a Rs 50,000 bonus for timely repayment. Additionally, Reddy pledged a caste census and efforts to remove the 50% reservation cap to ensure fair opportunities for all communities, a step he noted Congress had initiated in Telangana with a comprehensive caste survey.