Rama Krishna Sangem
Congress top leader Rahul Gandhi has announced a monthly pension of Rs 4,000 to the old people and widows, if his party comes to power in Telangana later this year. Addressing a well attended public meeting at Khammam on July 2, Sunday, he made this announcement under Congress’ Cheyutha scheme. Presently, the KCR government is giving Rs 2,000 monthly pension to the old and widows.
The meeting is arranged to mark to occasions: One, to welcome former MP Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and his followers into the party, Two, to commemorate conclusion of Congress Legislature Party leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka’s 1,300 km long Padayatra across the state for some months. Though there was some differences among the party state leaders over which of the two should be highlighted at the meeting, they put up a united show.
Rahul also revealed that it is he who opposed invitation to KCR led BRS to the recent opposition parties meeting in Patna last week. “Opposition parties wanted to invite BRS to the meeting, but Congress told them that our party will not come to it, if KCR is invited to the meet”. This is because, Congress thinks BRS is B Team of BJP. Rahul even called BRS as “BJP’s Ristedar Party”
“Karnataka results in Telangana too”
Rahul Gandhi who came to Telangana for the first time after his Bharat Jodo Yatra predicted Congress victory in Telangana too. “Karnataka election results will be repeat in Telangana too,” said the former MP. He said that earlier people used to say there will be triangular contests in Telangana – among BRS, BJP and Congress. But, now, the situation suddenly changed to direct fight between BRS and Congress.
“Suddenly, BJP disappeared from the scene in Telangana. It’s like all the four wheels of a car getting punctured at a time,” said Rahul whose Hindi speech was translated into Telugu by Nalgonda MP Uttam Kumar Reddy. Rahul tried to project a keen contest between BRS and Congress in which the latter will benefit by the dilution of BJP.
All the senior leaders vied with each other to be seen closer to Rahul. PCC president and MP Revanth Reddy, Bhongir MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Bhatti Vikramarka too spoke on the occasion. Before, Rahul Gandhi formally welcome Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and his followers into Congress. Another meeting is likely to be held in Mahabubnagar to sometime this month to welcome former minister Jupally Krishna Rao into the party
