Ponnala questions KCR’s claim of T being backward

• 10-year statistics indicate T well developed in all respects
• Cong implemented several welfare schemes effectively
• We are still open to alliance if TRS approaches
• Cong will take care of the martyrs’ families after coming to power

Hyderabad: The new TPCC president, Ponnala Lakshmaiah, challenged the claims of TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao that Telangana was a backward State. He said statistics of last 10 years indicate that Telangana was well-endowed and was developed in all respects.

He said the Congress party, which has been in power during the last 10 years, had implemented several welfare schemes effectively. It was on par with many other States in the country and the Congress party was determined to build a golden Telangana, he said.

Addressing his maiden press conference at Gandhi Bhavan on Wednesday night, Ponnala took strong objection to the word of reconstruction of the region being used by KCR. He said the Congress which had stood by its decision to carve out separate Telangana despite several odds was fully committed to put the new State on the list of top States in the country.

He said the Congress party would go to people with the slogan of “Jai Telangana, Jai Congress and Jai Jai Sonia Gandhi.” Replying to a question, he said at present a race was on between all parties to claim credit for the formation of T State. But people know that it was the Congress party which had promised Telangana and stood on its promise.

Asked about poll alliances, he said KCR had promised to merge TRS with the Congress if the T bill was passed in Parliament but went back on his assurance. However, the Congress was still open to alliances if the proposals come from the TRS side. He said the Congress party unlike other political parties did not work for votes and notes. It also did not believe in making false promises of social justice. It had proved time and again that it alone could deliver social justice. Some parties had promised to make a Dalit as Chief Minister but had gone back on their promise.

Referring to internal dissensions, Ponnala said that he would talk to all sections in the party and would carry all of them with him. He also assured that the Congress party would take care of the martyrs’ families after coming to power.