Claiming that it was AICC President Sonia Gandhi who granted statehood to Telangana, the Congress is planning to hijack the slogan of “Bangaru Telangana” from the ruling TRS.
Speaking to media persons at Gandhi Bhavan here on Monday, TPCC President Ponnala Lakshmaiah said that it was Sonia Gandhi who fulfilled the dream of Telangana and she would be the one who would turn the dream of “Bangaru Telangana” into a reality. He announced that the State Congress would take this message to the people of Telangana on the occasion of Sonia Gandhi’s birthday on Tuesday which coincides with the fifth anniversary of announcement of formation of Telangana by the Centre.
Ponnala said that it was on December 9, 2009 when Sonia Gandhi had agreed to grant statehood for Telangana and an announcement was also made by the then Union Home Minister P Chidambaram. However, the formation got delayed due to lack of consensus among the political party. Finally, it was Sonia Gandhi who ensured bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh to carve separate state of Telangana. He claimed that Sonia Gandhi had made a major sacrifice just to honour her promise. Despite knowing the fact that the Congress would be wiped out from Seemandhra region, she agreed for Telangana.
Therefore, the Telangana Congress has decided to celebrate the occasion at a grand scale on Tuesday. The main celebration will be held at Gandhi Bhavan where party’s flag would be hoisted followed by blood donation camp, Rythu Sadassu and distribution of talent awards among school and colleges students.
The Telangana Congress is also using the occasion to get closer to different Joint Action Committees (JACs) which played a major role in the formation of Telangana. It has invited the representatives of several JACs including Telangana Political JAC chairman Prof M Kodandaram to participate in a seminar on “Telangana -A Vision for Democratic, Inclusive Growth” to be held at Exhibition Grounds on Tuesday at 4 PM. Former High Court judge Justice Sudarshan Reddy, Prof Heeralal and former Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy are among those who are likely to participate in the seminar. Former Union Home Minister Chidambaram too is expected to participate in the seminar although the TPCC is still waiting for his final confirmation.
Ponnala said that the seminar would discuss the first announcement on Telangana formation in 2009, over 1200 suicides by students and youth and finally, the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Further, the farmers’ suicide after Telangana formation and other developments would also be discussed. (INN)