The Congress Working Committee (CWC) has strongly criticised the BJP government in Delhi and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) administration in Hyderabad, alleging a betrayal of Telangana's aspirations for a prosperous future nine years after the state's formation. The CWC has also accused Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his family of instituting "family rule" and regressing the state by "ruling like the Nizams".
In an appeal to the people of Telangana, the Congress party's highest decision-making body implored voters to support the party in the upcoming assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
The CWC's appeal, made during its first meeting on Saturday, conveyed a message of rekindling the dream of a 'Bangaaru' (golden) Telangana, offering the people the future they deserve.
In 2014, the tireless struggle of Telangana's people bore fruit with the formation of the state, the Congress asserted.
"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.
The CWC recollected the pivotal role played by the Congress during Telangana's formation.
"(Former) UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meticulously heeded the voices of Telangana's populace, engaging with every stakeholder and surmounting every political challenge," the CWC highlighted.
"Nevertheless, nine years post Telangana's inception, the CWC laments that the promise of a golden Telangana has been shattered, betrayed by governments in both Delhi and Hyderabad," the committee stated.
The Congress alleged that the state's resources meant for its people have been diverted by those in power.
"Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his family have instituted a dynastic rule and have turned a deaf ear to the citizens' concerns," the party asserted, as per PTI.
Rather than delivering the promised prosperous future, they have, according to the Congress, pushed the state back in time by governing in a manner reminiscent of the Nizams.
The Congress said it launched a mass contact programme against this "misrule," commencing with the Bharat Jodo Yatra, during which former party chief Rahul Gandhi covered 405 km across eight districts, as mentioned in the statement. The CWC stated that tens of thousands of individuals shared their experiences regarding the BJP government in Delhi and the BRS administration in Hyderabad, both of which, it claimed, favoured a select few at the expense of the poor, farmers, Dalits, tribals, and minorities.
The Congress emphasised that it has consistently strived for a robust and inclusive economy that benefits all citizens throughout India.
In Telangana, the Congress' historical achievements, including land rights, a vibrant public sector driving the private sector, MGNREGA, and statehood, underscore its dedication to an inclusive economy.
"The Congress party does not make empty promises or indulge in political slogans; it makes history," the party declared in its appeal to voters, citing the successful Congress government in Karnataka as an example.
The CWC pledged to unveil six key guarantees to the people of Telangana during a rally, building on declarations made in Warangal for farmers, Hyderabad for the youth, and Khammam for the elderly.
On Sunday, the Congress' top leadership held their second round of deliberations to formulate a strategy for the upcoming assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The first meeting of the reconstituted CWC occurred on Saturday, followed by an extended CWC meeting on Sunday.
The extended CWC meeting included state party chiefs, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leaders, parliamentary party office-bearers, and members of its Central Election Committee, in addition to regular members, permanent invitees, and special invitees.tela