HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Monday called on people to throw out the Congress into the Bay of Bengal and not vote for the Opposition party that is threatening to abolish the Dharani portal, which empowered farmers of the state and gave them full rights over their land.
Addressing BRS campaign meetings in Jangaon and Bhongir constituencies, Rao said that by initiating the Dharani portal, the BRS government had ensured that the role of every possible official or middleman who could play havoc with farmers’ land ownership or registration transfers, was eliminated and the full powers given to farmers.
The Chief Minister, making a strong case for the continuation of the Dharani portal, said: “The Congress is going around saying it will abolish Dharani. If Congress is voted for, then the menace of officials who can interfere with the choice of farmers will return. As a farmer, I understand this issue. With Dharani, even the Chief Minister cannot interfere with your choice.”
Chandrashekar Rao also slammed the Congress for raising the issue of tenant farmers. “We will not allow any confusion on this front,” he said.
At the Jangaon meeting, the Chief Minister called on the people to vote for Palla Rajeshwar Reddy saying that he has full confidence that Rajeshwar Reddy would ensure that their needs are met.
He said: “From a drought-hit area, Bacchannapet in Jangaon has emerged as one of the top paddy producing areas in the state. Once water from Mallannasagar reservoir comes to Devadula project, drought will be a thing of the past.”
“Your vote is a very strong weapon, use it wisely, don’t get confused with promises from people who come now and then disappear for the next five years,” Rao said. The state, which had no power and a lot of migration due to lack of employment, has turned the corner.
He said that the BRS manifesto, declared on Sunday, reflected the growth of the state and its plans for the future. “Since we are sincere and honest, we picked the right path and in the past nine-and-a-half-years, embarked on the path of development,” he said, highlighting that instead of severe power cuts, there is 24-hour supply.
He said there was a need for Hindus and Muslims to bond together, citing how Muslims came forward to postpone the Milad-un-Nabi procession on account of the Ganesh nimmajan programme last month. “Do not believe or get swayed by those who will come and try to sow seeds of distrust. We should all be together,” he said in Urdu.
In Bhongir, speaking in support of party candidate P. Rajasekhar Reddy, Rao again addressed the threat from Congress to the Dharani portal and called on people not to vote for the Congress. He said the district will see development as an IT and pollution-free industries hub.
“I have instructed KTR to work on this and we will turn this into a reality. Our manifesto has programmes for all sections of the people and along with new schemes, the old schemes and programmes are being made better. Our surveys indicate that the BRS will win with a majority of more than 50,000,” he said.
