State protecting henchmen: Prof Kodandaram

Hyderabad: Telangana Jana Samiti founder and president Prof M. Kodandaram lambasted the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi government during the party’s first public meeting held at Saroornagar Stadium on Sunday.

He said people who fought during the Telangana agitations at the ground level have now become rowdy sheeters and the people who provoked them were now comfortably seated as MLAs, MPs and cabinet ministers. “The government has been working for the welfare of capitalists, contractors and henchmen of the TRS but not public welfare. Even after the formation of Telangana, there has been no change in the socio-economic development in public life”, he said.

Coming down heavily on the TRS government, the TJS chief said the government has been working against the people's aspirations. Neither employment opportunities nor the situation of farmers have seen any change, he added. He said that the situation in the state has worsened with high level corruption by selfish leaders and misuse of power by bureaucrats. “The economy of Telangana is concentrated in three districts that are in the hands of three key leaders in power. What about the other districts? What about the poor and middle class living within three districts?” he pointed out. 

Prof Kodandaram also said he regretted supporting KCR during the Telangana statehood agitations. “We believed that KCR would fulfil the aspirations of the people of Telangana, but he didn't. He is not even bothered to meet people who supported and sacrificed their careers for the cause. We realised this a little late,” he added.

Kodandaram said that he has never come across a Chief Minister who is available only to select people either at his farm house or his official residence and hardly attended the Chief Minister office. He said even though several statements like 43 per cent fitment to workers in the state were given, the file was pending with the CM since a year and a half. He also alleged that despite 2 lakh jobs lying vacant, he would not put out a job notification, and said he could prove it with evidence. “The government, which had promised to fill 1 lakh vacant posts, has so far only managed to provide 20,000 posts, of which 10,000 posts are pertaining to the police department,” he said. 

Commenting on the flagship programme including Mission Bhagiratha and other major irrigation projects, the 62-year-old said that the government, rather than providing drinking water to water deficient villages, has been providing surplus districts to benefit Andhra contractors. He alleged that Rs 50,000 crore in excess has been spent on Mission Bhagiratha to facilitate contractors and his henchmen while remaining indifferent to the cause of public welfare. 

Concluding his speech, Kodandaram promised to fill all government vacancies, monthly allowance to unemployed youth, dignified life for farmers and a comfortable life for poor and middle class people in the state. “If voted to power, TJS will assure social justice and power to every person in the state. We will work according to the aspirations of people who fought in Telangana struggle,” he added.