Only regional parties can save self-respect of people: KCR

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Sunday said only the regional parties can save the self-respect of the people and not the national parties like the Congress and BJP.

The Chief Minister was taking part in the discussion on Appropriation Bill in the Assembly. Chandrashekar Rao said the Congress and BJP leaders only follow instructions of their bosses in Delhi.

"Their voices are not their own. They do whatever their party says. Regional parties are the ones which save the self-respect of the people," he said. Why the Centre should keep the reservations with it when there is demand from the States, he asked stating that the State had sent resolution urging categorisation of SCs.

The Chief Minister claimed that the TRS fought against the Centre on GST slabs.

Referring to CLP leader's allegations that redesign of projects was done irresponsibly, the Chief Minister said the leaders were talking without awareness. The Congress leaders did not listen to Nizam who suggested Nagarjunsagar should be at Nandikonda.

"They say construct project where there is no availability of water. Even now they demand Palamur Lift Irrigation at Jurala. If it is constructed at the place suggested by Congress leaders, six TMCs of water would be finished in three days. Even at Tummidihatti there is no availability of water, but the Congress leaders want project there," he said.

Chandrashekar Rao recalled that how lands of his ancestors were acquired by the rulers of Nizam for Upper Manair project in 1942. He said that 3,000 acres land belonging to his family was acquired and Nizam ruler provided compensation of Rs 1.70 lakh.

Chandrashekar Rao alleged that the Congress took away the rights of States by bringing Concurrent list, which is nothing but Central list. The BJP is doing more than what Congress has done.

The subjects like education, rural development, urban development should be given to States. "We requested for a BC Minister but neither Manmohan Singh nor Modi has given the Ministry," he said.