BRS leader K T Rama Rao slams BJP over promise to make BC candidate CM of Telangana
Hyderabad (PTI): The ruling BRS on Saturday attacked the BJP over its announcement of making a backward class (BC) leader as Chief Minister of Telangana after the upcoming assembly polls, saying the Centre has not yet agreed to the demand of setting up an OBC welfare ministry.
BRS Working President K T Rama Rao, who attended a 'Meet the Press' event here, pointed to the BJP replacing its state unit president, who belongs to the backward classes.
He recalled that the BRS has been raising the demand for establishing a ministry for OBCs since the time Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister.
The Telangana legislative assembly had passed a resolution in this regard and the BRS had demanded this in its plenary, he said.
Accusing the Centre of not conducting a census for backward classes, the BRS working president said the Telangana government has the figures (on BC population) in view of the 'samagra kutumba survey' (integrated household survey) conducted by it in 2014.
"Narendra Modi ji belongs to OBC. Has the condition of BCs in this country changed in the last nine and half years. It is not right, in a democracy, to feel that the whole community would benefit if one person becomes the Chief Minister or Prime Minister," he opined.
Noting that a person's nature is more important than his caste, Rao said the decisions of a leader should benefit the concerned community.
"Rashtrapati ji is a 'Girijan' (ST), woman. Has it benefitted all the STs and women of the country?" he asked.
Rama Rao underscored the importance of decisions and schemes introduced by a Chief Minister.
On the row over 'sinking of piers' of Medigadda (Lakshmi) barrage of Kaleswaram project, the Minister said the project has been operational since the last five years and that the barrage withstood the highest flood last year successfully.
He added that he has not had an opportunity to speak to concerned officials on the matter.
Referring to national dam safety authority's visit, he said he was awaiting the report.
Rama Rao further said there will be no burden on the state exchequer due to any damage to the barrage and that the concerned agency would bear the cost and revive it.
Reacting to opposition calling the Kaleswaram irrigation project in the state as 'white elephant,' the BRS leader said Congress was the real white elephant of the country.
"People have borne the brunt of Congress's misrule and misadventures for the longest time," he said.
Taking a swipe at Congress, Rama Rao said Mahatma Gandhi had favoured disbanding the grand old party post Independence. "Unfortunately, its still there, therefore, lot of nuisance."
Addressing a poll rally at Suryapet in Telangana on Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had promised to make a Backward Class (BC) leader the Chief Minister of Telangana if the BJP was voted to power after the November 30 assembly polls in the state.
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Gehlot changes profile pic to 'Save Aravalli', asks Centre to reconsider definition
Jaipur (PTI): Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Thursday urged the Centre to reconsider its definition of the Aravallis, warning that any damage to the mountain range posed a serious threat to the ecological future of north India.
Gehlot, a former Rajasthan chief minister, changed his social media profile picture in support of the nationwide 'SaveAravalli' campaign amid growing debate over mining and environmental safeguards in the Aravalli Range.
It was his symbolic protest against the new interpretation under which hills lower than 100 metres are no longer being recognised as part of the Aravalli system, he said.
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"The Aravalli cannot be judged by tape measures or height alone. It must be assessed by its ecological importance," Gehlot said, adding that the revised definition raised "a big question" over the future of north India.
Appealing to the Centre and the Supreme Court, Gehlot said the issue must be reconsidered in the interest of future generations and environmental security. He also urged citizens to participate in the campaign by changing their display pictures online to draw attention to the issue.
He said the Aravalli range functioned as a natural green wall against the expansion of the Thar desert and extreme heatwaves, protecting Delhi, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. Opening up smaller hills and so-called gap areas for mining would allow desertification to advance rapidly, he warned.
Gehlot also flagged concerns over air pollution, saying the hills and forests of the Aravallis acted as the "lungs" of the National Capital Region by checking dust storms and absorbing pollutants.
"When pollution levels are so alarming even with the Aravalli standing, one can imagine how disastrous the situation will be without it," he said.
Highlighting the water crisis, the former chief minister said the rocky terrain of the Aravallis played a crucial role in groundwater recharge by channelising rainwater underground.
"If the hills are destroyed, drinking water shortages will intensify, wildlife will disappear and the entire ecology will be pushed into danger," he said.
Gehlot argued that, from a scientific perspective, the Aravallis was a continuous chain and that even smaller hillocks were as vital as higher peaks.
