Time to launch another agitation in TS: Rahul

​Hyderabad: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi alleged that the dreams of Telangana people were shattered and the state had become a prisoner of four persons belonging to one family. He called upon TPCC president N Uttam Kumar Reddy to undertake door-to-door campaign and visit all villages to convey Congress party's message. "We will not leave your dream unfilled," he said.

Addressing a massive 'Telangana Praja Garjana' public meeting at Ambedkar Stadium in Sangareddy on Thursday evening, Rahul Gandhi said time had come to launch another agitation. Farmers, youth and women in fact all sections fought for separate state to exercise their rights over land, water and other resources.

"Telangana movement was run by students and youth as they wanted jobs. Everyone in Telangana had a pain that they were being deprived of their rights. Congress party and Sonia Gandhi understood their agony and anguish and granted statehood for Telangana. It was a historic decision and we had to face a lot of criticism and opposition. But has your dream of Telangana fulfilled," Rahul Gandhi asked.

Stating that the dream of Telangana could not be fulfilled in three years, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the present TRS government did not make the right beginning. "I want to ask students and farmers whether they fought for Telangana only for one family. Have you created this State only for four persons," he asked.

Rahul Gandhi recalled that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had delivered a speech from the same location in 1979 and had provided jobs to one lakh people after winning elections from Medak.

He said Telangana is a land of Makhdoom Mohiuddin who gave famous couplets: "Hayat Leke Chalo, Kainat Leke Chalo; Chalo To Zamanay Ko Saath Leke Chalo". He asked whether KCR was taking people along. "Is he taking farmers, students, youth, women and backward people or is he taking along only contractors and land mafia," he said adding that only one family has been exercising all rights of MPs, MLAs and all other elected representatives. "Was Telangana formed to snatch away rights of all people's representatives and give entire strength to only one family," he asked. "What kind of Telangana is being formed? Is this Bangaru Telangana," he asked.

The Congress leader said 2,855 farmers have committed suicide in Telangana and they include nearly 100 farmers from Chief Minister's constituency. "Have they fought for Telangana to turn this new State into farmers' graveyard," he asked.

He said that the crop loan waiver scheme implemented by TRS Government was so faulty that the banks were hesitant to give fresh loans to farmers. He said farmers' documents and gold jewellery was still mortgaged with banks and they were still in debts.

"Telangana is the only State where farmers are jailed and handcuffed if they demand remunerative prices for their crops," Rahul Gandhi said while condemning the Khammam's incident of handcuffing of accused farmers. He said farmers went for chilli crops only on the directions of the Chief Minister. However, he said that the prices of chilli, which was being sold for Rs 12,000 per quintal, fell down to Rs. 3,000 per quintal.

Rahul Gandhi said KCR promised to give one job in each household. However, he failed to honour this promise and asked youth to question KCR on his failure to provide jobs.

He also announced when Congress would come to power it will ensure that the phones and other products would carry the mark of "Made in Telangana" and "Made In India". "We don't make false promises. We know how to deliver and will do that after returning to power," he said.

He criticised the State Government for not implementing the Fee Reimbursement scheme which was launched by previous Congress Government to help poor students. "As against the promise of giving KG to PG free education, the TRS Government closed down 4,000 schools in the State," he said.

The AICC vice-president charged KCR of making changes to the projects launched during Congress rule. "Projects are being re-designed and new estimates are being prepared so that KCR and his friends could make money," he added. Nowhere in the world except in Telangana a chief minister has a massive house costing Rs 350 crore.

Rahul Gandhi criticised TRS and BJP Governments for not implementing the Land Acquisition Act 2013. He said that the Congress party does not run governments on individuals. The party runs the government based on the feedback from all MPs, MLAs, Gram Sarpanch and all other elected representatives. "We listen to everyone to run the government. We run your government," he said.

"I don't say that the dream of Telangana should have been fulfilled by now. But we should have at least moved in the proper direction. People whom you trusted are taking Telangana in the wrong direction. They are not using your strength. They do not understand your pain or hear your voice," he said.

He promised that the Congress party would put Telangana on the right track. He said the dreams of all farmers, youth, women and other sections would be realised.