Shankar Rao seeks Govt land for Sonia's temple

Former Minister Dr P Shankar Rao has sought government land in Secunderabad Cantonment area for the construction of temple of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Addressing a press conference at the Congress Legislature Party here, Shankar Rao handed over a copy of the letter that he wrote to the Revenue Minister seeking government land for Sonia's temple. "I have already identified the land in Cantonment area and also spoke to the Revenue Divisional Officer, Secunderabad, for allotment of land for construction of temple for Sonia Gandhiji," he stated in his letter. Shankar Rao said that two acres of land has been sought for Sonia's temple at free of cost. However, he said that if the government was willing to sell the same, then he was ready to make the payment on installment basis.

"I would justify the construction of temple for Sonia Gandhiji, as she has played very crucial role in formation of Telangana State and also very patiently held the situation prevailed in Seemandhra region. Such type of patience is mostly found in the Almighty. That is the reason, I have taken steps fro the construction of her temple," Shankar Rao said.

The former minister praised Sonia Gandhi for taking a decision in favour of Telangana formation. He also condemned the desecration of status of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, burning of effigies of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and even construction of tomb of Sonia Gandhi in Chittoor, the native district of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, during the protests in Seemandhra region. However, he said Sonia Gandhi tolerated all such criticism with great patience.