Tummala ridicules Congress padayatra

Hyderabad: Roads and Building Minister Tummala Nageshwar Rao on Sunday asked Telangana Congress leaders to explain the real motive behind organising padayatra against the State Government.

Speaking to media at Telangana Bhavan here, Tummala alleged that the padayatra held on Saturday was not against the shifting of the Secretariat, but it was aimed at uniting the warring groups of Telangana Congress.

He said some leaders participated in the padayatra to be in the limelight in view of forthcoming MLC elections.

Other leaders participated in the agitation to protect their positions in the party. He said that the TRS has no objection if the Congress leaders hold events for personal gains.

However, Tummala said that the TRS would not tolerate if the Congress leaders try to stop the process of development in Telangana State.

He asked as to why Congress leaders remained silent when Bhadrachalam mandals were merged with the Andhra Pradesh. They also remained mute spectators to the encroachments on government lands, injustices done to Telangana in water and energy sectors and they did not hold any demonstration seeking National Project status for Pranahita Chevella project.

He blamed the Congress party for the ongoing energy crisis in the State and alleged that despite holding the portfolio of Irrigation Ministry, Ponnala Lakshmaiah did not bring adequate water to irrigate Telangana fields.

The minister alleged that the Congress leaders have been criticising the TRS Government only to register their presence.