Congress party launches 'Praja Chaitanya Yatra'

Hyderabad: The Congress party on Monday had an impressive start for the Praja Chaitanya Bus Yatra with thousands of people taking part in the programme both at Chevella and Vikarabad.

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy , along with other leaders, began his tour after offering prayers at Dargah-e-Yousufain in Nampally. Later, he went to Are Maisamma Temple in Langar Houz where he offered special pooja. He then went to Moinabad Church before proceeding to Chevella to launch the Praja Chaitanya Yatra.

Addressing a massive public meeting at Chevella, organised by former minister P. Sabitha Indira Reddy and her son Karthik Reddy, Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana was achieved due to the joint struggle of all sections of the society. He said the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi granted statehood for the region expecting a major change in the lives of SC, ST, BC and minorities. However, he said even after four years, there has been no change in anyone's life except for four members of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao's family. He said fifth member of KCR's family too is likely to get a Rajya Sabha ticket soon.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said Sonia Gandhi had preferred Telangana over political gains in Andhra Pradesh. He said that the Congress party could have easily won 25 Lok Sabha seats of AP if it would have denied Telangana. However, Sonia Gandhi kept her word and granted statehood. But, he said, KCR has completely ruined the original dream of Telangana.

The TPCC Chief said now it has become necessary to make people aware of KCR Government's policies which are badly hurting the interest of Telangana State. He said that the main intention behind taking up bus yatra was to expose the failures of TRS Government in the State and prepare Congress cadre for the next elections.

Uttam Kumar Reddy demanded that the Chief Minister make sufficient allocations to honour all unfulfilled promises. Speaking about Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR), he said that the previous UPA Government had sanctioned the project which could have provided lakhs of jobs especially to the youth of Ranga Reddy district. However, he said that the TRS Government has completely failed to pursue the project. He ridiculed the foreign visits of IT Minister K. Tarakarama Rao and said that KTR only pose for pictures by wearing suits. But he did nothing to get Central funds for the ITIR project. He promised that the Congress party, after coming to power in next elections, would revive the project.

The TPCC Chief also slammed KCR for implementing a distorted pension policy of giving pension to only one person in a family. He said all deserved persons should get the monthly pensions without any riders.

He alleged that KCR has cheated the people of Telangana at every step during the last four years and all sections, including Dalits, STs, BCs and minorities have fallen victim repeatedly. He said KCR did not fulfil the promises of a Dalit CM, three acres of land for poor Dalit families, 12% reservations for STs and Muslims or KG to PG free education. He said even the crop loan waiver scheme was not implemented properly and thousands of farmers are still waiting for the clearance of interest amount on their waived off crop loans. He said that the government should make allocations to clear all dues in the forthcoming budget.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the Congress party would ensure the empowerment and growth of farmers, women, youth and would provide equal growth opportunities for all communities. He also demanded that the government increase the quota for all categories of BCs in proportionate to their population.

The TPCC Chief said that the Congress party, after forming the next government, would review the GO 111. He said that the TRS Government has redesigned the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Pranahita Chevella project to deprive water to Chevella. He said that the Congress party would redesign the Kaleshwaram project to extent promised irrigation benefits to Chevella and surrounding areas.

Uttam Kumar Reddy reminded that Dr. Y.S. Rajashekhara Reddy had begun his padayatra from Chevella in 2004 and brought the Congress party to power. He said that the Praja Chaitanya Yatra has been launched from Chevella with the same confidence that the Congress party would make a repeat of 2004 in 2019 or may be December this year. He said that there clear indications of early polls and Congress party was fully prepared to face them.

R.C. Khuntia in his speech urged the Congress workers to take the party's message to all village. He said except for KCR family, no one gained from formation of Telangana State and the Congress party has a responsibility to expose the failures of KCR Government.

Former captain of Indian Cricket Team and ex-MP Mohammed Azharuddin also addressed the meeting.

Later, Congress leaders also addressed a massive public meeting at Chigulapally Ramesh Ground in Vikarabad.

'Praja Chaitanya Yatra' also provided an opportunity for the Congress leaders to exhibit their unity and display their strength. Besides AICC Secretary R.C. Khuntia, all senior leaders including K. Jana Reddy, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Komatireddy Venkatreddy, D.K. Aruna, Shabbir Ali, V. Hanumantha Rao, Ponnala Lakshmaiah, Revanth Reddy, Danam Nagender and other leaders were present.