Leader of Opposition in Telangana Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir today said the result of the Warangal Lok Sabha by-election was due to the fear among the voters of discontinuance of welfare schemes if TRS lost the by-election.
Addressing the media at Congress Legislature Party office here on Wednesday, Shabbir Ali said the TRS cadre spread veiled threats that the State government would stop pensions, deny DBR houses and discontinue other welfare schemes if ruling party candidate P. Dayakar loses the by-election. Therefore, the people of Warangal had opted to vote for the ruling party. “However, We welcome and respect the people’s verdict,” he said.
Referring to claims made by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao that the TRS was enjoying masses’ support, Shabbir Ali dared the former to seek re-election to all the 13 Assembly seats being represented by MLAs, who had defected from other parties to TRS. KCR should make all the defected MLAs to resign and seek re-election, he demanded.
Reacting to KCR’s objection to criticism by Opposition parties, Shabbir Ali said they were willing to give constructive suggestions. For this, the Chief Minister should convene all-party meetings on major issues. He said while drought was not declared since last year, the TRS government declared 231 mandals as drought-hit on Tuesday. “The Congress party welcomes the decision and would support the TRS Government in getting Rs 1,000 crore package from the Centre,” he added.
Similarly, the Congress leader welcomed KCR’s assurance on filling of posts of Vice-Chancellors in all State Universities. Stating that KCR informed that Search Committees were formed to fill VCs’ posts, Shabbir Ali said his party would extend full support to TRS in confronting the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre for the injustices meted out to Telangana State. He also said all the assurances made in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act like 4,000 MW NTPC power plant, National project status for Pranahita Chevella should be fulfilled and Congress would support TRS MPs in Parliament in pursuing these demands with the Centre. (NSS)