Rahul Gandhi skips Kancha Gachibowli issue at Bharat Summit

Instead, the Congress MP gives a speech on democratic politics that has fundamentally changed across the globe, and says the rules that applied a decade ago do not apply anymore

HYDERABAD: As anticipated, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi did not touch upon any current issues confronting Telangana, but went on giving a speech full of platitudes at the Bharat Summit here on Saturday.

The burning issue of Kancha Gachibowli, which attracted nationwide attention for the inexplicable and illogical action of the Congress government in clearing over 100 acres of forest area, did not find a mention in Rahul Gandhi’s speech.

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It was Rahul Gandhi who earlier promised to the University of Hyderabad students to respond to any of their issues, but with the entire student community rising against the Congress government’s action in clearing the forest, the issue apparently had not attracted the attention of Rahul Gandhi. There was no mention of the Lagacherla farmers’ issues.

Instead, he observed that democratic politics had fundamentally changed across the globe. The rules that applied a decade ago did not apply anymore. Tools that were effective 10 years ago were not effective anymore. They cannot face the concentration of capital, modern media, especially social media, he said.

Tendering apologies for not turning up at the event on Friday, the Congress MP stressed that the old politician was dead and a new type of politician had to be constructed. “It is a big challenge for us,” he said.

Some years ago, the Congress party felt completely trapped and isolated. In this new aggressive politics, particularly where the idea was to crush the opposition, all our avenues were compromised, he said.

“With all the social media and modern communication tools at disposal, as politicians we have failed to listen to what people are trying to tell us. This is the space where we can operate because our opponents have completely vacated that space,” Rahul Gandhi said.

No matter how much hatred someone spreads, the biggest and powerful way to disrupt them was not to argue or fight them but to place love and affection right in front of them, he stressed.

Chief Minister makes false claims

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy claimed that Congress government had launched the biggest welfare schemes in the history of India.

On August 15, 2024, Rs.20,617 crore was paid towards waiving farmers crop loans. On India’s Independence Day, farmers in Telangana turned debt-free, he said staying oblivious to the fact many ryots were still running from pillar to post to get their crop loans waived.

After assuring to extend input subsidy of Rs.15,000 per acre to farmers under Rythu Bharosa scheme, the Chief Minister said the Congress government was offering Rs.12,000 per acre financial assistance.

He also claimed that landless farm labourers with MGNREGA cards were being offered an assistance of Rs.12,000 per year. At the ground level, though the scheme was launched with much fanfare on January 26, not many farm labourers were getting the assistance.

Stating that women, farmers, and youth were the main partners of the State government, the Chief Minister said women self-help groups were establishing solar power plants, operating electric RTC buses and fuel stations.

“Women are running 600 buses and competing with corporate transport agencies. Our women entrepreneurs are competing with big corporate companies like Adani and Ambani in running solar plants and EV buses” Revanth Reddy said.