Shankar Rao demands Indira, Rajiv statues in Assembly premises

Former Minister Dr P Shankar Rao on Tuesday demanded the installation of statues of national leaders in the premises of State Legislative Assembly.

Talking to reporters before staging a silent demonstration in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in the assembly premises on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi, Dr Shankar Rao said that he has already made a representation to Assembly Secretary demanding installation of statues of architect of the Constitution Dr BR Ambedkar, former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi and former chief minister Burgula Ramakrishna in the assembly premises by this month end. He said if the statues were not installed at the official level, then he himself would install the statues by collecting donations from the general public.

Dr Shankar Rao informed that he has written a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi asking her to direct the AICC, PCC and DCC office-bearers across the country to install the portraits of prominent Congress leaders including Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi in their offices. He also criticised Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy for not issuing advertisements in all the local newspapers on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi. He said such advertisements create awareness among the people about the contribution and sacrifices of national leaders for the country.

Later, Dr Shankar Rao staged a silent demonstration about 90 minutes and did not leave the place despite heavy rains.