Sonia, Rahul attack TRS chief Rao for "family rule" in Telangana
Hyderabad, Nov 23: UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday attacked TRS chief and caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for running a "family rule" in Telangana and "failing" to respond to the aspirations of people of the state.
In a show of strength by the Congress-led opposition alliance, leaders of its constituents-- the TDP, Telangana Jana Samiti and CPI-- shared the dais with them at an election rally at Medchal on the city's outskirts.
Sonia Gandhi, on her maiden visit to Telangana after the formation of the state in June 2014, recalled the problems the Congress party faced due to its decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh.
She said despite being aware of adverse political consequences, the Congress went ahead and created Telangana, and paid the price in the elections that followed.
"It (carving out Telangana) was not an easy task. It was no small decision. But former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party decided to form Telangana state," she told the rally.
The Congress intends to use its role in the creation of Telangana as a major election plank to blunt Rao's claim that a protracted agitation led by him forced the Centre's hand.
The decision to field Sonia Gandhi, who has hardly addressed an election meeting in a long time, apparently stemmed from the Congress's desire to appeal to the pro- Telangana sentiments of the voters.
"Chief Minister Rao has cared only for himself and his own people leaving the child (Telangana) to suffer.
"Dalits, adivasis, minorities, backward classes, women and students were all neglected. The chief minister should tell us what promises he made to them and he kept," she said.
She said she was "very sad" that development which was expected after the state's formation had not happened under the TRS dispensation which disappointed youth by its failure to provide them jobs.
Farmer suicides were taking place and agriculturists were still facing water scarcity, the UPA chairperson said.
"The TRS government failed to fulfil the aspirations of the people of the state," she said, adding it did not implement the land acquisition law enacted by the UPA government.
The people did not reap full benefit of the UPA dispensation's flagship rural employment scheme MGNREGA under Rao's government, she said.
"Through this meeting I appeal to you to vote for the Congress and allied parties, and ensure their victory. Extend your support for the development of Telangana," she said even as she reaffirmed the Congress party's commitment to special category status for Andhra Pradesh.
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi attacked Chandrasekhar Rao, saying "only one man ran Telangana for the last five years. He did whatever came to his mind for his family".
"I am asking what did the TRS government do for dalits, tribals, backward classes...what promises were fulfilled?" he said and predicted that the TRS rule was all set to end.
The Congress leader said it was to provide jobs to the unemployed youth and to address the problems of farmers that the Congress had formed an alliance with the TDP, CPI and the TJS.
"The alliance government will work for the people and not for one person. The dreams for which you fought (for creation of Telangana) the CM did not fulfil. This alliance with fulfil them," he said.
In her speech, Sonia assailed Rao for trying to perpetuate family rule.
"What did the TRS government do for women and youth of Telangana in the past four years? If at all there was any development, it was only of one family (of KCR)," she said.
Comparing Telangana to a newborn baby, the UPA chairperson said every mother wishes her children to grow up well. "But I feel sad when I see the people of Telangana (suffer) and the state of affairs here," she said, seeking to strike an emotional chord with the people of the state.
Lok Sabha member Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, who quit the TRS a few days ago citing "disappointment" with the party leadership, formally joined the Congress at the rally.
Though TDP president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was not present at the rally, the party was represented by its Telangana unit chief L Ramana. CPI state secretary Chada Venkat Reddy and TJS chief M Kodandaram besides Ramana addressed the rally.
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Rally against "vote chori" to protect every citizen's right, says D K Shivakumar
New Delhi/ Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar asserted that the Congress party's rally against alleged 'vote chori' (vote theft) in New Delhi is to protect every citizen's right to vote.
Accusing BJP government at the Centre of restricting vehicles with Congress workers from entering Delhi to participate in the party's mega rally, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, said that about 3,500-4,000 party leaders and workers have come from the state to participate in the rally.
Congress is holding a mega rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on Sunday, against the alleged "vote chori" (vote theft).
"We (state Congress) have made accommodation for 1,500 people (party workers and leaders), more than 2,000 people have made their own arrangements. They have come by flight and train. About 3,500-4,000 people have come. About 1.42 crore signatures have been gathered from the state (as part of its signature campaign)," Shivakumar said.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he said, there is a lot of enthusiasm among party workers and leaders, and they are committed to saving the Congress party in the state and the country, and protecting the citizens' right to vote.
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"As per the information that I have received this morning, the BJP and the central government are stopping vehicles (with Congress workers) from coming to Delhi, they are apparently not allowing vehicles to enter the city. I don't know why they are doing this. I don't know why the BJP and the central government are so worried. But no one can stop our voice," he added.
Further stating that Congress is fighting on behalf of the people of the country to protect their right to vote, the Deputy CM said, there is no politics in it. He said, all the leaders will be leaving for the protest venue from the Congress office in Delhi.
Reacting to a question on Union Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly terming Congress party's rally as an "act of frustration" due to electoral losses, and similar criticism from other BJP leaders, he said, he doesn't want to react to anyone from the saffron party.
"Let them say anything for their enjoyment. We, the Congressmen, won't think about electoral victories and losses. We think about the sacrifice made by our elders during the freedom struggle, to give democracy and a constitution to the country. Sonia Gandhi sacrificed power (PM post) and gave it to an economist like Manmohan Singh. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed their lives for this country," he said.
Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi went to jail for the sake of this country, he further pointed out, adding that, "A hundred years ago, Gandhi took over the leadership of the freedom struggle; today in these difficult times, Mallikarjun Kharge has taken the responsibility as the Congress President."
Shivakumar, responding to a question, said, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will also be attending the rally. "Both of us will go together (to the venue) from the Indira Gandhi Bhavan (in Delhi)."
He, however, did not wish to comment on any meeting with the Congress high command, including Soina Gandhi, on the issue of leadership change in Karnataka. Meanwhile, slogans calling Shivakumar the "next CM" were raised by his supporters as the Deputy CM left the Karnataka Bhavan.
