Opposition braces for Chalo Assembly protest on July 25

Hyderabad: Stepping up their opposition to the construction of new Secretariat and Assembly buildings, the opposition parties have given a call for Chalo Assembly protest on July 25 to press the government to withdraw its decision.

According to opposition leaders, since the State is in huge debts, it cannot afford to waste thousands of crores public money for new constructions of new Secretriat and Assembly while the present structures are in good condition.

Former MP G Vivek, who is trying to muster the support of all parties and sections under "Prajaswamika Telangana" banner held a press meet here on Monday in which leaders from various political parties took part.

Speaking on the occasion, Vivek stated that the Telangana government's fresh decision was not only attracting criticism from within the State, but even in other States like Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra and people are expressing shock over the decision to demolish present constructions to build a new one.

"What is the need to construct a new Secretariat and Assembly when you already have them. A new State which does not have such infrastructure can go for new constructions, but what is the need for our State," he asked.

Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that Telangana is already in Rs 65,000 crore debts, then what is the need to construct new Secretariat and Assembly plunging the State into more debts, the former MP asked. He also asked the government to release a white paper on debts.

TJS chief Prof Kodandaram appealed to the people, irrespective of their political affiliations, to take part in the July 25 protest. "There is money to pay for government schemes or fill new posts in the government.

Even loan waiver and farmers insurance is getting affected. At this juncture what is the need to construct a new Secretariat," he asked. Congress working president Ponnam Prabhakar stated that Congress would support the protest call. Our party is already waging a legal fight on this issue, he said, lamenting that Telangana is witnessing an autocratic rule. T TDP and Telangana Forward Bloc also pledged their support to the Chalo Assembly call.