On the occassion of Telangana National Integration Day, Congress make a splash on Sunday evening with a 'mega rally' at Telangana's Tukkuguda. Sonia Gandhi sounded the electoral horn in Telangana by announcing six poll promises, including Rs 2,500 per month and a cooking gas cylinder at Rs 500 for women. "To fulfill the aspiration of the people of Telangana, we (Congress) are announcing six "guarantees" and we are committed to fulfilling each one of them," Former Congress Chief stated, news agency PTI reported.
"We are announcing six guarantees, and we are committed to fulfilling each one," she stated to shouts of "Sonia amma." She stated: "Rs 2,500 per month financial assistance will be given to women in Telangana under the Mahalakshmi scheme, gas cylinders at Rs 500, and free travel for women in TSRC buses across the state, to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Telangana we are announcing 6 guarantees and we are committed to fulfill each one of them."
She further stated: "My dream is to see a Congress government in Telangana that will work for every section of the society. Are you going to support us?" "I along with my colleagues had opportunity to be part of birth of this great state Telangana," she added.
“All those listening who don’t have a home, as soon as our government comes, you will get a home,” the former Congress chief was quoted by PTI in its report.
According to Rahul Gandhi, the "Mahalakshmi" guarantee gives women Rs 2,500 per month, a petrol cylinder for Rs 500 and free bus fare.
The third promise is "Gruha Jyoti," which would provide 200 units of free power to every families, he claimed.
According to the fourth assurance, "Yuva Vikasam," the party offers Rs 5 lakh in college education help and financial aid in coaching.
“Rs 4,000 monthly pension for the elderly and Rs 10 lakh Rajiv Arogyasri insurance would be given under the fifth guarantee ‘Cheyutha’,” the Congress leader was quoted by PTI in its report.
Finally, he mentioned the "Rythu Bharosa" promise, under which farmers would receive Rs 15,000 and agricultural labourers would receive Rs 12,000 yearly.
Ahead of the rally, big hoardings of Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and others were installed at Telangana's Tukkuguda, PTI reported.
Earlier on Saturday, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) had sharply condemned the BJP government in Delhi and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) administration in Hyderabad, accusing them of betraying Telangana's hopes for a prosperous future nine years after the state's inception. The CWC also accused Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his family of implementing "family rule" and "ruling like the Nizams" in the state.
The Congress party's highest decision-making council urged Telangana voters to support the party in the forthcoming assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
The CWC's plea, delivered during its inaugural meeting on Saturday, carried a message of reviving the dream of a 'Bangaaru' (golden) Telangana, providing the people with the future they deserve.
"People of Telangana aspired for a 'Bangaaru' Telangana where they could chart their own destiny with Nidhilu, Neelu, Niayamakalu – resources, water, employment – for all," the party emphasised, as quoted by PTI.