Hyderabad: Telangana Rashtra Samiti president and Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Tuesday gave a clarion call for the awakening of the people of the country, particularly the youth, to wage a battle against the divisive politics of the BJP government at the Centre, and declared that the need of the hour was a new […]
Hyderabad: Telangana Rashtra Samiti president and Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Tuesday gave a clarion call for the awakening of the people of the country, particularly the youth, to wage a battle against the divisive politics of the BJP government at the Centre, and declared that the need of the hour was a new Constitution for the nation.
“The country needs revolutionary and qualitative change that will unleash the true potential of India which has ample resources to emerge as an economy larger than the US,” Chandrashekhar Rao said, even as he went ballistic against the union budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament.
“As a person with 50 years of public life behind me, and having held several Constitutional positions, I believe it is time for a new Constitution. Both the so-called national parties – BJP and Congress – have been utter flops in leading the country, and have only indulged in usurping the powers of the State under the garb of concurrent list,” Chandrashekhar Rao said, addressing the media at Pragathi Bhavan here to share his views on the union budget.
Expanding on his thoughts, the Chief Minister said that in an ideal situation, the union government should have, in fact, delegated more powers to States as a democracy matures. “The same holds good for States too which should delegate more powers to local bodies. But, unfortunately, one has not seen any wisdom either in BJP or Congress so far,” he said, adding that the country had already lost 75 valuable years in trying out these two parties.
Pointing out that the country has power and water resources far beyond its requirements, Chandrashekhar Rao said it was because of the bad policies of the BJP government that 70 per cent of the country was still in darkness, and households and farmers were deprived of drinking water and for irrigation purposes.
“We cannot remain mute spectators to absolute misrule by the BJP government at the Centre. The country is bestowed with good resources and has youth force that should be harnessed. But, the BJP government lacks wisdom and sincerity besides being completely anti-poor, anti-farmer, anti-minorities and anti-Dalit that is evident from the policies it pursues,” he said, and pointed out that a budgetary allocation of Rs 12,500 crore for the downtrodden in the country speaks volumes of the Centre’s direction.
Stating that he was already in touch with leaders of several political parties, Chandrashekhar Rao said he would also be meeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in the coming days and discuss with him national issues. “I am not running after any posts, but I will stand up and fight for the liberation of the country from the clutches of such divisive forces, and whoever wants to join me in this fight is welcome,” he said, adding that he was even willing to lay down his life for the cause.
“I fought hard for Telangana and achieved it, and transformed it into a vibrant State within no time. The same can be done with our country too but for that, the people have to be awakened, and I will take the lead in doing that,” he said.
Likening the State BJP leadership to barking dogs, the Chief Minister llsted out the various achievements of the TRS government in the past eight years, and challenged them to prove even one allegation. “I will resign from the post of Chief Minister if they prove even one allegation. Isn’t it a fact that TRS government is the only administration in the country that implements novel schemes such as Dalit Bandhu, Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima and supplies 24 hours quality power supply to all sectors” the Chief Minister asked, and wondered why the State BJP leadership was unable to stomach the fact that Dalits, minorities and other underprivileged were progressing in Telangana.
Assked to elaborate on his demand for a new constitution of India, Rao explained how people’s expectations were not being met now and how the Centre was eroding the federal base. Look at the way the Centre wants to take IAS officers into their control. Its most unfair!”, Rao thundered. He did not mince any words in denouncing the BJP, which he alleged, was employing all tactics including the misuse of ‘social media’, (which he likened to practising black-magic) to divide the society by propagating and amplifying half-truths and plain lies. “It’s time to throw out the BJP lock stock and barrel. And Hyderabad will be the fountainhead of this movement”, Chandrashekhar Rao thundered.
The Chief Minister said very shortly a conclave of retired civil servants will be organised in Hyderabad to discuss and provide a line of direction to the efforts to relieve the country of the BJP. Rao did not make any efforts to hide his disenchantment with the functioning of the BJP and reminded journalists that it was the right time to usher in a qualitative change in the national polity. “I am sure whenever there is such a need, the people would react swiftly. “We can change the face of the country in two years and we will start the efforts shortly., I will not shy away from my responsibility”, he declared.
He said it would be a misnomer to call the ensuing elections in five states a mini-general election. He felt that the BJP would lose in Punjab, while its influence would come down drastically in Uttar Pradesh. To a question, he snapped back saying he was not looking at any position, but as a facilitator for the change. He said he was confident of the positive outcome of his efforts as he succeeded in bringing Telangana by making all inimical political parties to supoprt the cause of Telangana. Asked whether it would mean, there would be a change of guard in Telangana as his focus is on national leve, Rao clarified that he could do so even when he was the Chief Minsiter of Telangana. Asked to elaborate on his demand for rewriting of the Constitution, he said he was arguing for rewriting the constitution and let there be a debate on the issue.
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