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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CBSE announces assessment scheme for Class 10 board exams cancelled in Middle East
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New Delhi (PTI): The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a detailed assessment scheme for Class 10 exams in the Middle East region which were cancelled amid escalating West Asia conflict, according to officials.
The exams were cancelled following a critical review of the prevailing situation across Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
According to CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj, examinations scheduled from February 17 to 28 were conducted successfully. During this period, six academic subjects, including Mathematics, English and Science, were completed. Additionally, 16 language papers and 22 skill subject examinations were also conducted.
The board has divided candidates into five categories -- students who appeared in all examinations, students who appeared in four examinations, students who appeared in three examinations, students who appeared in two examinations and private students registered under the compartment category.
"The results of students who appeared for all exams will be declared based on their performance in the examinations. The result of students who appeared in four subjects will be declared based on the average of the marks obtained in the best three performing subjects for the subjects whose examinations have not been conducted," Bhardwaj said.
"The result of students who appeared in three subjects will be declared based on the average of the marks obtained in the best two performing subjects for the subjects whose examinations have not been conducted," he added.
The examination controller explained that very few students have appeared in the examinations in only two subjects.
"Their results will be declared based on the average of the marks of two subjects in the remaining subject," he said.
The results of Middle East students will be declared along with the rest of the students. Students will be allowed to improve their performance through the second board examinations according to policy.
