While deeming the ruling BRS the B-team of the BJP, Rahul Gandhi said Congress was open to leaders who wanted to return to its fold.
Rahul Gandhi speaking in Khammam. (File photo)
In what appeared like the kickstarting of the Congress’ campaign for the Telangana Assembly elections later this year, senior leader Rahul Gandhi called upon the people on Sunday, 2 July, to throw out the BRS government in the state lock, stock, and barrel.
However, what was more significant was his announcement of a poll “guarantee”, the likes of which propelled the Congress to power in Karnataka in May this year.
Addressing a mammoth public meeting in Khammam after admitting former MP and suspended BRS leader Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and his supporters into the party fold, Rahul Gandhi announced, among other things, a pension of ₹4,000 for senior citizens, widows, among others in the state.
He also promised to return podu land to the tribals in the state.
The Congress leader also claimed that the BRS was an ally of the BJP, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi slamming Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao by name — a rare move by the saffron party leader — barely days ago.
Rahul Gandhi announces the Cheyutha poll promise for Telangana in the state’s Khammam district on Sunday, 2 July, 2023. (Supplied)
Rahul Gandhi announced a ₹4,000 pension promise during the Khammam public meeting on Sunday.
The Congress would be providing this guarantee, which is to be called “Cheyutha”, if it was brought to power by the people of Telangana in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Under the scheme, the Congress would guarantee a monthly pension of ₹4,000 for the elderly, widows, single women, people with disabilities, beedi workers, handloom workers, AIDS victims, patients of filariasis, and those undergoing dialysis, among others.
Rahul also promised podu land for tribals if the Congress was elected to power in Telangana.
Tribes in several states, including Telangana, use the podu process of cultivation, in which they clear different areas of the forest to provide land for crops.
While the process is traditional by nature, it is often seen as the reason for deforestation.
Meanwhile, Rahul repeatedly said that the Congress was going to do a Karnataka in the Assembly elections in Telangana, claiming that the party workers and the people in the state were as powerful as those of Karnataka.
“I am sure they would throw out the KCR government at the hustings,” he said.
Riding on the crest of a popularity wave that seems to be building in favour of the Congress following the party’s victory in neighbouring Karnataka Assembly elections, Rahul Gandhi, turbo-charged the party cadres to get into action mode with his speech.
He noted: “The BJP, which looked like a car speeding on the highway, suddenly got stuck with all its four tyres getting punctured. There is no BJP now in Telangana.”
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi also trained his guns at the current regime in Telangana, saying: “The BRS is the BJP Rishetadar Party. It is the B-team of the BJP. That is why the TRS has been rebranded as the BRS. We should defeat the party as its agenda is to spread vile, and hatred while the Congress wants to spread love.”
He continued: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds the remote control for KCR’s government in the state. The battle is between the Congress, which is fighting on behalf of the poor and the weak, and KCR and his family rule on the other side.”
He noted that the Congress had stood by the poor and the weak in Karnataka as well, while the BJP represented the affluent sections.
“The BJP had to bite the dust in the elections [there], and I am sure it will repeat in Telangana also,” Rahul said.
The Congress leader accused the state government of systematically destroying the Telangana dream during the last nine years, leaving all sections of people high and dry.
“It was the dream of the poor, the farmers, the workers, and the weak. KCR has been acting like a raja and he believes that Telangana is his jagir,” he said.
Rahul Roar in Khammam: BRS, Modi’s All-Weather Ally
BRS means BJP Relations Party. BRS is the B-team of BJP. BRS extended support to the Modi government over farmers' bills and demonetization. The remote of BRS is in the hands of BJP. #TelanganaJanaGarjana…
— Telangana Congress (@INCTelangana) July 2, 2023
He also referred to allegations of “₹1 lakh crore corruption” in the execution of the Kaleshwaram Project.
The BRS government had built the Dharani portal to snatch the lands allotted to the poor by the Congress in the past, he said, asking the people to realise that it was their land and they should fight against the injustice.
He said when the Opposition parties requested the Congress to invite KCR to the conclave they held recently in Delhi, he opposed the proposal vehemently.
He said the BRS leader had told them that if they wanted KCR in, they should count the Congress out. This, he said, was because the BRS was the B team of the BJP.
Rahul Gandhi also referred to the Delhi liquor scam and how the investigation agencies knew who was guilty. Yet, they did not act because KCR had the blessings of the prime minister, he said.
Sunday’s public meeting marked the felicitation of CLP leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on the completion of his padayatra — People’s March — for a distance of 1,360 km in 109 days from the Adilabad district to Khammam.
TPCC president A Revanth Reddy was with Rahul Gandhi all through. Rahul Gandhi gave a warm hug to Balladeer Gadar, who kissed the Congress leader twice on his cheeks in a show of affection.
On the occasion, Rahul Gandhi extended a warm welcome to all those who had left the Congress and those who were showing interest in joining the party afresh.
“Our doors are open to those who share our ideology. They are welcome to join us,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi appeared pleased at the reception he received on landing in Khammam.
From the helipad to the venue of the public meeting, an ecstatic crowd greeted him as he moved on waving at them.
What an incredible reception for Shri @RahulGandhi in Khammam, Telangana!
The overwhelming support from the enthusiastic crowd is a testament to his unwavering commitment to serving the people.
A true leader who resonates with the masses! pic.twitter.com/5D1Mna1lfH
— Congress (@INCIndia) July 2, 2023
The convoy moved slowly as the youth went hysterical on seeing him, which probably is indicative of the direction in which the wind is blowing.
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