Rahul reaches out to Seemandhra people

Claims he insisted on special category status

Hindupur: Reaching out to voters of Andhra Pradesh post-bifurcation, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday told the people of Seemandhra that it was Congress-led UPA government that ensured that their region got special status.

Addressing an election rally here, the Congress Vice-President said party President Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and he himself had insisted that Seemandhra should get a special status. "And we ensured that your State got special status," he said.

“The best educational institutions in the country will come to this State. We are going to bring IIT, NIT, IIM, IIIT, AIIMS, Petroleum, Agriculture and Tribal universities," Rahul said.

He recalled his family's relationship with Andhra Pradesh. "Andhra has had a very old and strong relationship with my family, in particular my grandmother Indira Gandhiji," Rahul said. "Seemandhra has the most entrepreneurial people in the country," he said.

The Congress Vice-President said that he was aware of the disappointment of Seemandhra people over State bifurcation. He however pointed out that there has been a demand for a separate State of Telangana for the last 60 years. He said the Congress took the decision after all other political parties decided in favour of creation of Telangana State. He recalled that TDP, YSRCP and BJP gave letters in favour of State bifurcation. Rahul said the Congress always stood by the people’s decision.

Rahul Gandhi said the Congress has a clear plan on how to develop Seemandhra following the bifurcation. He stated that the UPA government took the decision to grant special category status to Seemandhra even while the decision was opposed by some parties. A tax holiday was declared in Seemandhra to encourage industrial growth. A new capital would be formed in Seemandhra within six months of the formation of the new government, Rahul stated.

The Congress Vice-President assured that special packages would be provided to the most backward regions including Anantapur district and North Andhra in Seemandhra. He also revealed a plan to establish a Central University in Visakhapatnam.

Rahul Gandhi assured to waive loans of farmers up to Rs 2 lakh and promised to include communities of Balija, Kapu, Valmiki, Vaddera and Rajakas in SCs and STs. He said Polavaram Project has been identified as national project for utilisation of surplus water. The project would provide irrigation facilities to seven lakh acres in Seemandhra and supply drinking water to Visakhapatnam city. Metro rail facility would also be provided for Vizag and an oil refinery would be set up.

He said everybody residing in Hyderabad has rights over the city and the UPA government would ensure security of Seemandhra people. Rahul Gandhi said the Congress party would take the responsibility of transforming new State of Andhra Pradesh into No 1 State in the country. Criticising the leaders who left the party, he pointed out that they left the party as they do not have faith in people.

Union Minister Chiranjeevi said the nation immensely required the services of Rahul Gandhi and expressed confidence that he would become the next Prime Minister. APCC president Raghuveera Reddy said the Congress workers would not relax until they make Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister in 2014. He appealed to people to teach a lesson to Babu who forged alliance with blood-sucker Modi, and Jaganmohan Reddy.

AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh and Union Minister Muniappa also participated.