Revanth Reddy and YS Sharmila announced the Mahalakshmi Scheme for Andhra Pradesh, under which a woman would receive ₹1 lakh every year.
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and AP Congress chief YS Sharmila. (Supplied)
In a strategic move aimed at resonating with the working class, as the Election Commission of India unveiled the poll dates on Saturday, 16 March, in seven phases, the Congress has sounded the poll bugle.
The party’s president, Mallikarjun Kharge, unveiled five SOPs for the working class at a press conference in Bengaluru. These include a significant hike in the national wage to ₹400 for daily-wage labourers and MGNREGA beneficiaries, universal healthcare coverage, scrapping contractual appointments, and implementing an employment guarantee act for urban areas.
Meanwhile, the neighbouring Telugu states experienced a first — a Telangana Chief Minister graced a meeting convened in Andhra Pradesh in protest against the Union government.
“Similar to the Kauravas and Pandavas, who fought against each other in Kurukshetra but would later unite against any outside force, the two Telugu states, though demographically separate, should join the fight for states’ rights,” said Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.
In a public meeting against the privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant on Saturday — led by the Andhra Pradesh Congress unit under YS Sharmila’s leadership — the Telangana Chief Minister was in attendance.
Taking a dig at the BJP for the plant’s privatisation and the lack of resistance from the ruling YSRCP as well as the regional Opposition parties TDP and Jana Sena, Revanth Reddy referred to them as “BJP” — Babu, Jagan, and Pawan.
Revanth Reddy and YS Sharmila also announced the Mahalakshmi Scheme for the women of Andhra Pradesh, under which a woman would receive ₹1 lakh every year.
విశాఖ స్టీల్ ప్లాంట్ ప్రైవేటీకరణకు వ్యతిరేకంగా కాంగ్రెస్ పార్టీ ఆధ్వర్యంలో వైజాగ్లో జరిగిన భారీ బహిరంగసభకు ముఖ్య అతిథిగా విచ్చేసిన తెలంగాణ ముఖ్యమంత్రి శ్రీ రేవంత్ రెడ్డి గారికి హృదయపూర్వక ధన్యవాదాలు. షర్మిలమ్మ నాయకత్వాన్ని బలపరచండి.. అండగా నేనుంటా.. ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్ గడ్డపై… pic.twitter.com/EdUum8eK0C
— YS Sharmila (@realyssharmila) March 16, 2024
Under the first guarantee, “Swasthya Adhikar” (Right to Health), the Congress pledges the enactment of the “Right to Health” law, ensuring universal healthcare coverage. This includes free essential diagnostics, medicines, treatment, surgery, and rehabilitative and palliative care.
The second guarantee, “Shramik ka Samaan” (Dignity of Labour), promises a substantial raise in the national minimum wage to ₹400 per day, applicable to all MGNREGA workers nationwide.
Under the second guarantee, ‘Shramik ka Samaan’ (dignity of labor), the Congress says that it would raise the national minimum wage (currently ₹176 per day) to ₹400 per day, which will also be the minimum daily wage for all MGNREGA workers nationally.
The third guarantee, “Shehri Rozgar Yojana” (urban employment scheme), vows the implementation of an employment guarantee act tailored for urban areas, focusing on building public infrastructure, enhancing climate resilience, and bridging social service gaps.
Under the fourth guarantee, “Samajik Suraksha” (social security), the party commits to ensuring comprehensive social security coverage for unorganised workers, including life and accident insurance.
The fifth guarantee, “Surakhshit Rozgar” (secure employment), underscores the Congress’s commitment to conducting a comprehensive review of the anti-worker labour codes enacted by the BJP government and making necessary amendments to fortify labour rights.
“हिस्सेदारी न्याय”
मैं आज देशभर के दलित, आदिवासी, पिछड़े/ ओबीसी, अल्पसंख्यक और कमज़ोर तबकों के सभी भाई-बहनों के लिए कांग्रेस पार्टी की ‘हिस्सेदारी न्याय गारंटी’ घोषित करने का रहा हूं।
1️⃣गिनती करो
• कांग्रेस पार्टी एक Comprehensive सामाजिक, आर्थिक और जाति जनगणना की गारंटी… pic.twitter.com/thRu8BZx9M
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) March 16, 2024
The Andhra Congress unit chief, YS Sharmila, stated that she would bring “special status” to the state within 10 days for 10 years if the Congress is elected to power.
She criticised her brother and political adversary YS Jagan for his focus on publicity and drawing huge funds from the public exchequer for his party’s campaign, “Siddham” (Ready).
Siddham, launched by YS Jagan to rejuvenate the cadre to fight against the mighty Opposition TDP-JSP-BJP combine, indirectly targets YS Sharmila’s party.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy emphasised that Andhra Pradesh doesn’t need rulers but voices that question and fight for rights.
He criticised the lack of leadership in questioning Delhi’s decisions against the state, further citing the incomplete Polavaram project and the dire state of the capital city.
He urged Telugu states to unite in fighting against Delhi rulers, referencing past leaders like Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, PV Narasimha Rao, NT Rama Rao, YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Jaipal Reddy, and Venkaiah Naidu.
He emphasised the need for leaders who ask questions rather than just bow down, stating that voting for any party other than the Congress ultimately benefits the BJP. He urged people to elect at least 5 Parliament members and 25 MLAs, and send them to the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly to give the Congress a chance to represent their voices.
(Edited by Kamna Revanoor)
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