Governor's address lacked punch, commitment: Shabbir Ali

Leader of Opposition in Telangana Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir described the address by Governor E.S.L. Narsimhan to the joint session of Telangana Legislature as completely hopeless and disappointing.

Speaking to media persons along with MLCs Farooq Hussain, Santosh Kumar, Akula Lalitha and Damodar Reddy at Assembly Media Point on Thursday, Shabbir Ali said that the Governor's address lacked clarity, punch and commitment of State Government towards the people of Telangana. He said that the Governor's address resembled like the speeches of Cheif Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and was totally repetitive. "Governor's speech began with a blatant lie on Telangana's irrigation pact with Maharashtra. This agreement was already signed on May 5, 2012 by the then Chief Ministers Kiran Kumar Reddy (united AP) and Prithviraj Chouhan (Maharashtra) in the presence of Union Minister Pavan Kumar Bansal for the construction of barrages at Lendi, Lower Penganga and Pranahita-Chevella. While the original agreement was signed for a height of 152 Metres at Tummidi-Hatti, TRS Government reduced it to 148 Metres causing heavy loss to Telangana State," he said.

Shabbir Ali said that there was no mention on the status of major promises made by the TRS in its election manifesto. The issues like 12% reservation for Muslims and STs, three acres of land for Dalit families, Fee Reimbursement dues, non-appointment of VCs, etc., have been completely ignored. There was also no mention of proposed Sub-Plan for BCs and Minorities nor did the government give any commitment on carrying forward unutilised budget allocated for welfare of different communities.

The Congress leader said that the TRS Government was burdening the common people by way of increasing power tariff and Property Tax. He alleged that the Governor too has joined the 'Bhajan Mandali' of KCR and simply read out a self-praising statement prepared by the TRS Government.

When asked for reaction on whether the warning of one year suspension from the House ensured smooth conduct of Governor's address, Shabbir Ali said that the decision of Rules Committee was not new. He said that the Speaker was empowered to suspend any member for any period. He said that the Congress legislators silently heard the Governor's speech as there was nothing to react. "Why should we react when we know that the Governor's address was farce and based on blatant lies and misleading facts? We will counter it in the House line-by-line. We don't practice the politics of standing on the benches in House and tearing off papers," he said.