BJP is afraid of Rahul Gandhi's Telangana tour: Shabbir Ali

Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir has condemned the Bharatiya Janata Party for objecting to the Rythu Atmagaurav Yatra of AICC Vice-President Rahul Gandhi scheduled in Telangana this month.

Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan here on Saturday, Shabbir Ali strongly condemned Telangana BJP President G Kishan Reddy for criticism Rahul Gandhi's Telangana yatra. "BJP leaders have no moral right to question the Congress leadership on farmers' issue. It was at the instance of Rahul Gandhi that the UPA I&II regime introduced several innovative schemes for farmers' welfare across the country. Providing 100-days of employment to farmers and agricultural labourers under MGNREGA, increase in MSP by almost five times, Food Security Bill, Land Acquisition Bill and innumerable steps were taken to help the farmers. Therefore, before speaking against Rahul Gandhi, the BJP leaders should do a serious self-introspection," he said.

Shabbir Ali accused the BJP-led NDA Government of adding more distress to the lives of farmers. While it reduced the MSP of all commodities, the Centre also decreased the rice levy from 75% to 25%. He said that the BJP was meant only for the rich tycoons like Ambani, Adani and Vedanta and it wants to acquire farmers' land to benefit some powerful corporate houses through its Land Acquisition Bill. The BJP is confined to cities and its leaders have no knowledge about farming and farmers. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, "What would a 'Chaiwala' knows about the farmers' problems?"

The Congress leader said that Kishan Reddy's statement against Rahul Gandhi was given out of frustration and fear. "Why are they so afraid of Rahul Gandhi? What would they lose if Rahul Gandhi gives an assurance to farmers and ask them not to commit suicide? What would BJP leaders lose if the Congress party gives some financial assistance to the families of farmers who committed suicide?" he asked. He dared the BJP to stop Rahul Gandhi's yatra in Telangana and warned them that farmers would teach them a fitting lesson if they try to disrupt his visit.

"KCR lost six wickets in one HC strike"

Reacting to the High Court granting stay on the appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries in Telangana State, Shabbir Ali advised Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao to take some lessons on administration. "TRS Government faced at least one court judgment against its decisions every month since it came to power. Listing out 12 prominent judgments, he said KCR Government was pulled up by High Court on matters relating to FAST, re-registration of vehicles, delay in GHMC polls and now the appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries has been set aside," he said.

The Congress leader asked whether the Chief Minister was not being properly guided by the Law Department and senior IAS offices or he is not taking their suggestions seriously. "Stop acting like a dictator. You lost six wickets (Parliamentary Secretaries) due to one strike by the High Court. You should come down to ground and run the administration in a proper manner," he said.

Shabbir Ali said that the Congress party had already warned the State Government against the way Parliamentary Secretaries were appointment. Further, the High Court has vetoed the TRS Government's stand of setting up a separate High Court for Telangana. "The AP Reorganisation Act has clearly stated that the present High Court belonged to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh would be required to establish its own high court. However, KCR adopted a strange stand and lost it before the High Court," he said.

He advised KCR to accept the ground realities and instead of making new promises every day, concentrate on fulfilling the previous promises.

Congress senior leader Mallu Ravi and TPCC Spokesperson MA Faheem were also present in the press conference.