CM Revanth Reddy: Telangana faced ‘100 years of destruction’ in 10 years
Telangana: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday claimed that Telangana suffered “100 years of destruction” during the 10-year BRS rule. He said his government was working for the cultural and economic revival of the state and expressed his desire to make it a destination for the world. Addressing the 10th Telangana Foundation Day celebrations organised by the state government, he thanked Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for fulfilling the decades-old demand of statehood for Telangana during the previous UPA government at the Centre. He also defended his government’s decision to invite Sonia Gandhi to the event though she did not attend it. A video message of Sonia Gandhi was played at the event. He recalled the key role played by Sonia Gandhi, former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and late BJP leader Sushma Swaraj in passing the bill for the formation of Telangana state in Parliament in 2014. “We invited Sonia Gandhi, who has fulfilled the aspirations of the people of Telangana, as a guest of honour for the state foundation day celebrations. Someone asked in what capacity she was invited. Is permission required to invite a mother to a child’s house?” he said. He said as long as Telangana has a history, Sonia Gandhi will be recognised and respected by Telangana society as ‘Maa’.Strongly objecting to the Congress government’s decision to invite Sonia Gandhi to the Telangana foundation day celebrations, the BJP had said the government should tell people in what capacity Sonia Gandhi was being invited.Recalling the role of Sonia Gandhi, Meira Kumar and Sushma Swaraj in passing the Telangana Bill in the Lok Sabha in 2014, Revanth Reddy expressed gratitude to them on behalf of the people of the state.
He said Sushma Swaraj, who was then the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, had helped in getting the Bill passed. He hit out at the previous BRS government without naming the party for the alleged destruction in the state. “Telangana has suffered 100 years of destruction during the 10-year rule. It was not just physical destruction but fundamental freedoms were also attacked. Social justice was denied. State property, which should belong to all people, went into the hands of a few,” he said. He accused the BRS of destroying Telangana’s culture and traditions. He said soon after assuming power, his government restored “freedom” and made the government accessible to the people. According to Reddy, the camp office-cum-official residence of the previous chief minister has been named after social reformer Jyotiba Phule and a mechanism has been set up there to receive representations on people’s grievances.
He said his government was working towards cultural and economic revival of the state. He said even after 10 years of the formation of the state, the state did not have an official song. As per the wishes of the people, the government is declaring the song “Jai Jai He Telangana…” written by Telangana’s famous poet Ande Sri as the official song of the state from today. During the official event, Revanth Reddy unveiled the song whose music has been composed by Oscar-winning music director M M Keeravani. Revanth Reddy said a symbol reflects the history of the nation. He said the government is working on a new symbol by taking into account suggestions and advice from various sections. Quoting the Sanskrit saying “Janani Janmabhoomisch Swargadapi Gariyasi”, he said an average rural woman of Telangana would be a replica of ‘Telangana Talli’ (mother) who is hardworking and generous. Keeping this in mind, the “Telangana Talli” statue will be designed.
He alleged that when his government came to power in December last year, the state’s economy was in complete ruins. The state’s debt burden rose to Rs seven lakh crore. The government is laying a strong foundation for the progress of the state by envisioning long-term plans for future generations. “We are preparing a ‘Green Telangana – 2050 Master Plan’ for the whole of Telangana.” He highlighted his government’s welfare and development initiatives, including the Musi riverfront development project in Hyderabad, stringent measures to curb the drug menace, recruitment of 30,000 youths in 70 days, deposit of Rs 7,500 crore in the accounts of 69 lakh farmers and uninterrupted power supply.Hyderabad from today He said Hyderabad will no longer be the joint capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and his government would resolve issues related to division of assets between the two states at the earliest. “The city of Hyderabad should develop as the number one brand in the world. My strong desire is to make Telangana a destination for the world,” he said.
