Congress condemns arrest of opposition leaders

The Congress Party has strongly condemned the arrest of leaders and activists of opposition parties during Telangana Bandh on Saturday demanding clearance of crop loan waiver dues at one go.

Speaking to media persons at Gosha Mahal Police Stadium after his arrest, TPCC President N. Uttam Kumar Reddy accused Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao of suppressing the voice of opposition parties. He said that the government did not come out with a specific assurance to prevent suicide by hundreds of farmers. Entire opposition was suspended when they stalled the House demanding that the TRS Government fulfill its promise at one go instead of instalments. Now, all the leaders and workers of opposition parties were arrested even before they launched their dharna at different bus stations.

Leader of Opposition in Assembly K. Jana Reddy described the arrests as undemocratic. He alleged that KCR was acting like a dictator and was not even willing to take note of suicides by hundreds of farmers. He said that the Congress leaders were willing to go to jail for the sake of farmers.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir told reporters at Golconda Police Station that The Congress Party would intensify its agitation. He alleged that the TRS Government was trying to intimidate opposition leaders with false cases and arrests. However, he said that the Congress leaders would not bow to such pressure and would not rest until they get justice for farmers.

Former TPCC President Ponnala Lakshmaiah said that the people of Telangana would launch a movement against TRS Government and would get rid its autocratic rule in the same way they achieved statehood for Telangana.