KCR hobnobbing with Naidu: Congress

Senior Congress leader Shabbir Ali ridicules KCR’s claims on developing Hyderabad a la Dallas

Hyderabad: Senior Congress leader Shabbir Ali Sunday ridiculed Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao for proclaiming that he would develop Hyderabad on par with Dallas in the US. Speaking to the media at Gandhi Bhavan on Sunday, Shabbir Ali said KCR tried to mislead the people by making vague promises in view of GHMC elections.

Referring to KCR's speech at Parade Grounds, he said KCR must clarify why he wants to emulate Dallas. He said Hyderabad is better placed than Dallas in terms of an international airport, Outer Ring Road, IT sector and many other areas. “Earlier, he wanted to follow Singapore model. Then he turned towards Istanbul and now he was speaking about Dallas.

This is nothing but cheating," he said. Accusing KCR of enacting dramas of 'rivalry' with Chandrababu Naidu, Shabbir Ali said both were sending greetings and gifts to each other on all occasions and maintaining cordial relations off the camera. But in view of elections, KCR and Naidu are attacking each other, he said, and asked as to why KCR was not pursuing the 'Cash for Vote' case against Chandrababu Naidu.

The Congress leader also faulted KCR for announcing that he would allow Municipal Administration & Urban Development portfolio to his son K. Tarakarama Rao. He also slammed MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi for making personal remarks against him using offensive language.

The MIM should publish the list of poor candidates, who were given free admission in 60% of 150 medical seats in Deccan Medical College, he demanded. "Financial irregularities in Darulsalaam Bank, including Benami accounts, should also be probed and several complaints are pending against the bank with Reserve Bank of India.

Akbaruddin Owaisi should also explain how his assets increased from Rs. 3-4 crore in 2009 to Rs. 17 crore in 2014. He should disclose his sources of income. People of Old City have remained poor, but the MIM leaders have turned rich by exploiting them," he said. "As the then minister in Congress Government, I constituted country's first Minorities Welfare Department in 1993.

In the same year, Akbaruddin Owaisi was busy fighting with his father and brother over the incident of his elopement with a girl. A person who did not respected his own father and brother, have no right to comment on me. I'm a true Muslim and my religion Islam does not permit me to use abusive language against anyone.

I can't stoop down to the level of Owaisi just for political gains," he said adding that MIM leaders were under the grip of fear of losing elections.