The Extended Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, which concluded in Hyderabad on Sunday, 17 September, saw it appealing to the people of Telangana to vote for the Congress in the upcoming Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the state.
“It is time to reignite the dream of a ‘Bangaaru Telangana‘, and deliver the future that the people of the state deserve,” the CWC, the highest decision-making body of the Congress party, said in a statement.
It stated that in 2014, the struggle of the people of Telangana bore fruit with the creation of the state, adding that the people had hoped and wished for a Bangaaru Telangana when they set the course of their own future with Nidhilu, Neelu, Niayamakalu — resources, water, and employment for all.
But under BRS rule, “the dream for which people fought for Telangana has remained unfulfilled”, the CWC contended.
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Congress role in Telangana formation recalled
The CWC proudly recalled the key role of the Indian National Congress during the formation of Telangana state.
It asserted that former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh resolutely heeded the voices of Telangana’s people during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime, consulting every stakeholder and surmounting every political challenge.
“Yet, nine years after Telangana was formed, the promise of a Golden Telangana lies shattered, betrayed by governments both in Delhi and Hyderabad,” said the CWC with anguish.
The resources of the new state, meant for its people, have instead been “siphoned off” by those in power, according to the CWC.
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Rule of Nizam
The CWC accused Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao of establishing a family rule which is deaf to the voices of the people.
“Instead of the promised golden future, they (the KCR government) have dragged the state into the past by ruling like the Nizams,” claimed the committee.
It added that the Congress had embarked on a mass contact programme against this misrule, starting with the Bharat Jodo Yatra, when Rahul Gandhi covered 405 km across eight districts of the state.
“Tens of thousands of people shared their experiences of the governments of the BJP in Delhi and BRS-led KCR government in Hyderabad, both enriching a chosen few at the cost of the poor, farmers, Dalits, Adivasis and minorities,” said the committee in its concluded extended meeting.
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Rampant corruption
Farmers who battle risks of price and weather to make ends meet have been further let down by poor insurance schemes, which have forced them into debt.
“The Dharani portal is taking away land rights dating back to Smt. Indira Gandhi’s era, especially those of Adivasis, minorities, Dalits and OBCs. Small entrepreneurs shut shop due to lack of support in a market tilted towards a few large corporates,” said the CWC.
It further said irrigation projects like Kaleshwaram had become income sources for BRS-affiliated contractors, draining huge resources but providing little water. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government’s relentless privatisation of public sector companies is reducing opportunities for aspirational and hard-working youth.
“At the same time, the state government’s privatisation of schools, educational institutes and hospitals is depriving people of affordable education and health,” it said.
Comparisons with Karnataka
The CWC added that the Congress’ track record in Telangana over decades showed its commitment to an inclusive economy — through measures such as land rights, a strong public sector which accelerated the private sector, MGNREGA, and statehood.
The successful Congress government in Karnataka, which has delivered its guarantees within 100 days, shows that the Congress party does not make empty promises; it makes history.
The Congress was ready to make history in Telangana, and was unveiling six key guarantees to the people of Telangana on Subday, building on the declarations in Warangal for the farmers, in Hyderabad for the youth, and in Khammam for the elderly, it said.
