The Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi today expressed the ardent desire to see that the first chief minister of the new Telangana State would be a woman.
Addressing a mammoth election rally in this district of 1000 pillars (Warangal) and at the LB Stadium in Hyderabad, the Gandhi scion used all his dimpled charm to woo the woman voters by unveiling the Congress plan to not only empower women but also various welfare measures for their lot. He reminded that the Congress as promised had ensured that the number of gas cylinders is raised from nine 12 per year. He said likewise the party had also taken steps to create reservations for women in local bodies and also passed a bill for the safety and security of women.
Once again taking a dig at the manner in which TRS President K. Chandrashekar Rao had back-tracked and back-stabbed on the issue of merger of TRS with the Congress, Rahul Gandhi detailed how the pink party leader had come to meet him and assured to merge his party and then left only to back track on his promise. KCR also made a big bogey about making a dalit as the Chief Minister once the Telangana State was granted; but soon after the state was created, his true colours of political ambition came to the fore. His one-point programme seem to be to become the chief minister of Telangana, he observed and added that the Congress party on the other hand would like to see that a woman would become the first chief minister of the state.
The Congress Vice-President also deviated from the party manifesto to announce various sops which were not incorporated in the manifesto. He assured to make Warangal an IT hub on par with Hyderabad and also establish an AIIMS-type medical institute with an outlay of Rs.150 crores. He also announced that an 800 MW power station would be set in Bhoopalally.
Keeping in view KCR’s promise to waive interest on farm loans up to one lakh rupees, Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress if voted to power would see that the interest on farm loans would be waived up to rupees two lakhs.
TWO LAKH JOBS
While trying to lure youth with 2 lakh jobs in government and private sector he said appealed to the people to vote in favor of the Congress and get the fruits of development. Rahul Gandhi stated that his dream is to see products with a tag of “Made in Telangana, Made in Warangal, just like, Made in India. This is possible by providing adequate job opportunities, setting up needed infrastructure, industries, IT parks, business centers and other giving a boost to allied sectors which is possible only by the Congress government, he claimed. The congress government will involve its youth in the process of development and increasing the productivity in the region with a broader perspective, which TRS lacks, Rahul stated. Despite criticism from opposition, the UPA led Congress government which is noted for keeping its promise, waived off Rs 70,000 crores farm loans, Rahul said.
He exhorted the people not to believe in KCR who dumped their party and misleading them for power. The AICC deputy chief also took serious exception to BJP and TDP for adopting double standards on Telangana issue. Nonetheless, the committed Congress passed the bill despite their stiff resistance, he said. The UPA led Congress Government at the Center had taken every pain for passing the AP Bifurcation Bill 2014 (Telangana Statehood) and kept our promise, he stated. And now it is the responsibility of the people of the region to bring their party to power to ensure persistent welfare and further development. He also assured that two states of the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh will usher in an era of simultaneous development if the congress voted to power. AICC general Secretary Digvijay Singh, T Cong Chief Ponnala Lakshmaiah, former minister Basavaraju Saraiah, MP Rajaiah and others were present at Warangal.
In Hyderabad, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Vayalar Ravi, Secunderabad M P candidate Anjan Mumar Yadav, Amberpet Assembly candidate V Hanumantha Rao, Danam Nagender and others were present. (NSS)
