Nation Ready to Welcome RaGa as PM, Says Uttam

Hyderabad: Civil supplies minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said on Sunday that the country was ready to welcome Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister.

He said growing concern over the ‘weakening’ of democratic institutions had strengthened the public’s desire for leadership that would defend the Constitution and restore confidence in democracy.

Addressing a public gathering at Nereducharla in Suryapet district, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had spent more than a decade fearlessly exposing what he described as the BJP’s authoritarian and fascistic methods of governance.

Despite sustained political attacks, he said Rahul Gandhi continued to speak up for the rights of citizens and the independence of democratic institutions.

“Rahul Gandhi has stood firm through years of political attacks and attempts to silence him.

He has continued to raise the issues that matter to the people and to defend the values on which our Republic was built.

The country is now looking to him to lead India as Prime Minister,” he emphasised.

The minister said recent questions about electoral rolls and the conduct of elections had deepened public concern.

Rahul Gandhi brought the issue of 'Vote Chori' before the nation and demanded accountability, he said.

The BJP has rejected the allegations as baseless, while the Election Commission has said its decisions were unanimous.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said that when serious questions were raised about the electoral process, they must be answered with transparency and evidence to protect public confidence.

“Every eligible citizen must be able to exercise the right to vote without fear or confusion.

The Election Commission must act in a manner that inspires confidence among all parties and the public.

Rahul Gandhi has been right to insist that questions about the electoral process cannot simply be brushed aside,” he added.