PM's poll speech "below the level of Sarpanch": Telangana CM KCR
Hyderabad, Apr 2: In a scathing attack on the Prime Minister, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao accused him of lying on central allocation to the state and said his campaign speech was "below the level of sarpanch".
Rao also said he does not have a desire to be the Prime Minister.
Taking exception to Modi's criticism against him that he consulted astrologers, the TRS president asked "if this is what the Premier should talk about".
Alleging that the Prime Minister did not speak the truth about allocation of funds to the state, Rao, also referred as KCR by many, demanded that Modi apologise to the people.
"What does Narendra Modiji speak? KCR sees horoscope...
Is this what is to be spoken, for the Prime Minister to speak?
Should persons running the politics of the country speak like this? In this country, the Prime Minister speaks going below the level of a sarpanch," he said.
Rao, who was speaking at an election rally at Warangal, was alluding to Modi's comments on him at a rally in Telangana last week that Rao consulted astrologers which affected governance.
"Narendra Modi ji, you are speaking absolute lies today.
(You) are bragging that you are giving Rs 35,000 crore (to Telangana). You did not give Rs 35,000 crore. My brothers and sisters should know. Delhi is not taking care of us. We are taking care of Delhi," he said.
Telangana gives about Rs one lakh crore to the Centre annually in the form of customs duty, income tax, centre's share in GST and others, he said.
What Telangana gets from Delhi is only Rs 24,000 crore, he said.
BJP leaders should answer if Telangana is surviving on Central funds, he said. Telangana is among five-six states that support the country, he claimed.
Rao said he does not fault the Centre over using the funds.
"You are taking and using Rs 75,000 crores of income which is generated from our state. We are not saying it is wrong. But lying after coming here, speaking unwanted things... don't speak like that. I demand that the Prime Minister apologise to the Telangana people. I request (him) not to speak such lies," he said.
Saying that both Congress and BJP which does 'golmaal' (bungling) are not useful to the country, he said that a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front government should come to power at the Centre.
The national parties do not address issues like farmers not getting remunerative price and problem with Pakistan, but does politics in states, he alleged.
Citing media reports, he said non-Congress, non-BJP parties would come to power at the Centre.
He alleged that both the Congress and BJP failed to ensure the country's development as it should have been.
Referring to the comments of a state minister that those who addressed people at the venue in Warangal went on to become Prime Minister, he said he has no desire to be PM.
"I don't have the desire to be Prime Minister", he said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
