Congress allows its protests, curbs BJP’s voice in TG: Kishan Reddy

Hyderabad: Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy on Sunday accused the Congress of double standards on democracy and questioned why law-and-order concerns were not raised when Congress leaders staged protests but were invoked to restrict the BJP in Telangana.

He said the Congress repeatedly spoke of upholding the Constitution, protecting democracy and respecting the Opposition’s voice, but its actions in Telangana contradicted its claims in Delhi.

Kishan Reddy pointed out that Delhi police had facilitated Congress protests, sit-ins and road blockades despite public inconvenience. Whether Priyanka Gandhi lay on the road or Rahul Gandhi climbed barricades, their freedom of expression was respected, he said.

“Rahul Gandhi travels freely across the country, holds public meetings and criticises Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central Government. He also makes accusations against institutions such as the Election Commission, the judiciary and the Indian Army. Despite his statements, our government has never attempted to curtail his political right to speak,” he said.

He noted that Congress leaders, including State ministers, had staged a protest in Hyderabad two days earlier, demanding the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner and holding a sit-in outside Lok Bhavan.

Questioning the Telangana government’s approach, Kishan Reddy asked why the BJP should not enjoy the same democratic rights that the Congress claimed for itself in Delhi. He alleged that the government repeatedly placed BJP leaders, including State president Ramchander Rao, under house arrest and prevented hundreds of party leaders from visiting people affected by the government’s actions. He challenged Congress leaders to visit Hyderabad and witness the state of democracy under their government.

“Can you tell the people of Telangana that it is wrong to hold you accountable for the ‘6 Guarantees’ and ‘420 sub-guarantees’ that you, along with Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka, promised?” he asked.

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