Hyderabad: A war of words took place between the AICC President Rahul Gandhi and TRS IT Minister, K.T. Rama Rao, over the issue of corruption. Rahul Gandhi, on day one of his tour, claimed that Telangana had become a hotbed of corruption. On day two, he accused Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and his family of earning in the name of re-structuring irrigation projects. Mr. Gandhi also alleged multi-crore frauds in Kaleswaram and Sitarama Irrigation projects.
In a fitting reply to Rahul Gandhi, TRS minister KTR said “You talk about corruption Rahulji. Look around the dais, half of the people sitting next to you are out on bail, some in CBI cases and others in corruption cases”. KTR called the Congress party as “Scamgress party”.
Addressing over a lakh students at Saroornagar on Tuesday, Mr. Gandhi said “In remembrance of the late BR Ambedkar, Pranahitha-Chevella lift irrigation project was taken up at a cost of Rs.38,000 crore. However, in the name of re-structuring it, TRS supremo K. Chandrashekar Rao increased the project cost to Rs. 1 lakh crore. No tenders were called for these multi-crore works. Secondly, The Indira Sagar and Rajiv Sagar projects in Dummugudem- Khammam district , were re-designed and KCR turned his magic wand and increased the price from Rs. 2.5 crore to Rs.12,000 crore. Like the way Modi led NDA government increased the Rafale deal from Rs. 526 crore to Rs. 1600 crore”.
Rahul called KCR and Modi as specialists in re-designing and magically increasing project cost to financially benefit their friends and family. In a 20-minute-long talk with the students, Rahul remembered the state martyrs and said “When the youth of Telangana fought for a separate statehood, the slogan was ‘neelu nidhulu niyamakalu’. They all dreamt of water, funds and employment in order to help the progress of the state. The dreams of the Telangana people were really big, but after the state was formed, their dreams continue to be a dream. After elections, TS got its first Chief Minister and the youth who sacrificed, fought and were beaten, were promised 1 lakh jobs by the same CM.”
But those who give their blood for the state, have been deprived. CM KCR has failed to even provide jobs to 10,000 youth. Neither were any notifications for government jobs issued, nor was any employment done”. Touching up how students who spearheaded the statehood fight were now neglected he added “Whatever fee was reimbursed, that has been snatched away. He promised even the farmers, but over 4000 of them have killed themselves. The CM in the state and PM at the national level promised to give financial assistance to farmers, but managed to cancel the debt of rich industrialists.”. Mr. Gandhi again exposed the secret pact between CM K Chandrashekar Rao and PM Narendra Modi. He questioned why KCR supported Modi for demonetisation, GST and applauded Modi in his every move.
School Fee issue:
One of the burning issues the KCR led government has not been able to address is the ‘High School Fee structure’. Using this as a weapon, Rahul accused the government of keeping mum on exorbitant fees. “The fee slabs in Hyderabad are the highest in the country. The TRS government promised free education from KG to PG but has failed to address the problems of parents paying high school fees.” he said. He also attacked the NDA government on the rising fuel prices. He said when petrol and diesel costs had dropped in another country, India continued to witness a surge in fuel prices.
Hoping that Congress government would be elected to power in the state and at the Centre post 2019 elections, Mr. Gandhi promised employment to youth, financial protection to farmers, change in the education system and minimum fee structure in schools, colleges and universities. He urged the youth to join the Congress party and assured them of good position. “The strength of the youth will be utilized in nation-building.” he ended.
