HYDERABAD: TPCC chief A. Revanth Reddy on Monday said that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s decision to contest both Gajwel and Kamareddy implied that Rao was conceding defeat, accusing him of targeting “committed leader Shabbir Ali”, who, Revanth said, was working to uplift all communities.
“I can understand a leader from a national party contesting both the Assembly and Parliamentary seats. Shabbir Ali was instrumental in getting four per cent reservation for minorities. He was instrumental in developing the ORR (outer ring road), international airport, Metro rail etc. KCR is seeking to deny representation to him. This shows his disdain for the minority community,” Revanth Reddy said.
Replying to Chandrashekar Rao questioning Congress’ achievements in the past 50 years, he said, “We electrified 12,500 gram panchayats. We constructed Nagarjunasagar, Srisailam, Sriramsagar, Kalwakurthy and Pranahita Chevella in our term. I am ready for a debate with KCR on the development taken up by us and them in the past 10 years. We brought in Krishna and Godavari water to Hyderabad. The free power scheme was launched by us and KCR was with the TD, which said that it is not viable.”
Reiterating that the Congress was committed to its promises, Revanth averred that the party will implement the Rs 4,000 pensions. “The pension scheme was launched by us and the amount was increased periodically. Loans up to Rs 2 lakh will be written off… it will be the first file to be signed on December 9th,” Revanth said.
On K.T. Rama Rao’s promise to not distribute liquor and money during polls, the Congress leader said: “We also take the same pledge and will come to the polls showcasing the development in the past 50 years. I am ready for a debate on what was done by us with the 42 per cent of the funds of the total Budget of united AP that were spent by us in Telangana. Is KCR ready for a debate on what they have done with the Rs 23 lakh crore in the past nine years? This includes the Rs 5 lakh crore debt taken by them.”
“The state Cabinet does not have a single minister from the Mudiraj or Madiga communities. How can KCR say they are standing for social justice? Kavitha went to Delhi and held dharnas seeking 33 per cent reservation for women. They could have given 33 per cent seats to women and backward communities,” he said, dismissing notions that the advanced announcement of candidates by BRS will make a difference.
“KCR was part of all decisions he says were inimical to the interests of Telangana. He had a truck with all parties at various points of time. We will win the polls with a two-third majority,” Revanth said.
