Will not allow KCR to misuse public wealth: Uttam

Hyderabad : Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the Congress party would not allow Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao to misuse public wealth.

Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan on Saturday, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that as the main opposition party Congress has a responsibility to keep a check on whether or not State Government was using the public money in an appropriate manner. Therefore, he said that the Congress party has been highlighting the instance of misuse of public wealth by KCR and his family. Instead of accepting our suggestions, the Chief Minister is criticising the Congress leaders.

Clarifying that he had never stated that Pragati Bhavan had 150 rooms, Uttam Kumar Reddy said he had questioned the very construction of this palatial bungalow for the Chief Minister. "What was the need to construct a palatial bungalow by spending over Rs. 60 crore on a prime land worth about Rs. 500 crore when we already had a newly constructed Camp Office for the Chief Minister? Is it not waste of public money? While KCR is challenging me on existence of 150 rooms, he should answer whether or not Pragathi Bhavan has an area of one lakh square feet. No Chief Minister in the country or even the Prime Minister lives in such a big building. KCR should clarify whether or not Pragathi Bhavan has bullet proof bathrooms and bedrooms. Were they required?" he asked.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said TRS Government had no money to pay compensation to farmers who committed suicide. The scholarships and Fee Reimbursement for SC, ST, BC and minority students was delayed due to shortage of funds. Double bed room houses for weaker sections were not constructed for want of money. However, KCR no dearth of funds to get a posh and palatial palace constructed for his stay. "Pragathi Bhavan was not constructed with personal money. We have every right to question the Chief Minister as he has misused public money. Common people have no access to Pragathi Bhavan. Even ministers and TRS MLAs are not authorised to freely enter Pragathi Bhavan. But it is always open for contractors and other big shots," he alleged.

The TPCC Chief accused KCR of living a lavish lifestyle by taking money from State's exchequer. "KCR family members are travelling in cars worth over Rs. 1 crore each. They take private chartered flights even for personal visits. KCR took a private jet to attend a marriage in Kerela. He is also engaging a chartered plane to visit Kolkata and other places to pursue his political ambitions. Congress party will not tolerate this criminal wastage of tax payers' money. Telangana is not KCR's Jagir (fiefdom)," he said.

"As a fighter pilot of Indian Air Force (IAF) I had served the country for several years. I risked my life to protect our nation at China and Pakistan borders. I worked in Rashtrapati Bhavan and had the privilege of serving two Presidents. I had quit a lucrative job to join politics only to serve people. My wife (Padmavathi Reddy) and me are MLAs and we have been practising clean and moral based politics. We have no children and have dedicated our entire lives for the service of people. Therefore, in terms of dedication towards the nation and people, KCR comes nowhere closer to me. I don't indulge in politics of cheating, lies and deception," Uttam Kumar Reddy said.

Uttam Kumar Reddy reminded that KCR had claimed during statehood movement that his children lives in USA and they would not get involved in politics. However, now his entire family including son, daughter, son-in-law and nephew have captured the top positions and indulging in large scale corruption. Stating that the Congress party never opposed Kaleshwaram project, he said Congress only wanted the Pranahita Chevella project to be completed first and objected to removal of name of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar from the project. He said TRS Government has redesigned the project only to escalate the costs and get more commission.

Accusing KCR of displaying too much arrogance of power, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the Chief Minister had pushed the Telangana State in a huge debt trap with his wrong policies and now trying to bash anyone who is pointing out his mistakes. He also ridiculed KCR's plans for Federal Front and said that the Chief Minister lacks basic knowledge to speak on national and global issues. "Anyway TRS is not going to win a single Lok Sabha seat in next elections. Therefore, KCR's Federal Front will have no relevance at all," he said adding that the Third Front talk was only aimed at diverting attention from failures.

Uttam Kumar Reddy also slammed the Chief Minister for not speaking on the issue of unemployment during TRS plenary session. He said TRS Government failed to fill even those vacancies that existed at the time of Telangana formation. Similarly, he said KCR was silent on farmers' suicides. "As against the promise of giving 12% quota to Muslims within four months after coming to power, TRS Govt did not fulfil the promise even after four years. KCR has no moral right to seek votes from Muslims," he said.

Leader of Opposition in Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir, ex-union minister Balram Naik, ex-MP M. Anjan Kumar Reddy and other leaders were also present.