Kishan Reddy Accuses Congress Of Double Standards On Democratic Rights
Union minister G. Kishan Reddy accused Congress of restricting BJP protests in Telangana while demanding democratic freedoms for itself in Delhi.
Union minister for coal and mines G. Kishan Reddy on Sunday accused the Congress of “double standards” on democratic rights, saying the party demanded freedom to protest in Delhi but restricted the BJP in Telangana.
He said Congress leaders were speaking about democracy and Opposition rights in Delhi, while the Telangana government was preventing BJP leaders from holding protests or meeting people. He noted that Delhi Police had allowed Congress demonstrations despite inconvenience to the public, while Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were free to travel and address meetings.
“Why should the democratic rights available to Congress leaders in Delhi not be available to BJP leaders in Telangana?” he asked.
Reddy alleged that BJP leaders, including state chief N. Ramchander Rao, were repeatedly placed under house arrest in Telangana. He cited restrictions during protests over constable recruitment, farmers’ issues, fee reimbursement, Section 22A, Bhu Bharati and other matters.
He said the BJP was only questioning the state government over pending reimbursements, unemployment and unfulfilled poll promises, which was the Opposition’s duty.
Reddy also criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for calling Indian democracy “choked”, saying the party should first explain its actions during the Emergency in 1975 when press freedom was curbed and Opposition leaders jailed.
He demanded that the Congress government in Telangana allow the same democratic freedom to Opposition parties that Congress leaders enjoyed in Delhi.
