Friends or Foes? Amit Shah shielding corrupt KCR, alleges Congress

Hyderabad: The Congress party on 22 August asked Union Home minister Amit Shah to specify whether or not the BJP government intends to take action against Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao for corruption, especially in the execution of the Kaleshwaram project.

In a joint statement, Congress MP and former TPCC president Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, CLP leader Bhatti Vikramarka, TPCC campaign committee chairman Madhu Yashki Goud, and AICC programmes implementation committee chairman A. Maheshwar Reddy alleged that the BJP government and Amit Shah are shielding corrupt KCR and his family.

They said that Amit Shah's speech at the BJP meeting in Munugode on Sunday was vague and highly disappointing. "There was nothing new in Amit Shah's statement that 'Kaleshwaram is KCR's ATM'. Instead of repeating the same allegations multiple times, he should clarify why he did not direct the CBI, Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax, and other agencies to take action. Is it because TRS is BJP's B-team?" they asked.

'TRS, BJP are secret allies'

Uttam Kumar Reddy said everyone knows that BJP and TRS indulge in "Gali Mein Kushti and Delhi Mein Dosti." Therefore, Amit Shah's statement on KCR's corruption without any action has only endorsed the Congress party's contention that both are secret allies. "It was quite surprising to watch Amit Shah speak about failed promises and rising inflation. For a moment, we thought that he was exposing the BJP government at the Centre which failed to deliver on promises like two crore jobs every year, Rs. 15 lakhs in each bank account, or the much-hyped 'Ache Din'," he said.

'BJP betrayed the people of Telangana'

Bhatti Vikramarka said the BJP government has betrayed the people of Telangana by not fulfilling the promises made to the new state in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. Amit Shah should've explained why the promises like Kazipet Railway Coach Factory and Bayyaram Steel Plant were not sanctioned for Telangana. He should also clarify why Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) which could've generated nearly 50 lakhs jobs in Hyderabad and its neighbouring districts like Nalgonda was scrapped by the BJP government, he said.

He further alleged that the BJP government did not grant national status to the Palamuru Rangareddy Lift irrigation project. "Why did the BJP government not set up the turmeric board which was promised by Nizamabad MP on a stamp paper? Why did BJP shift the global centre for traditional medicine from Telangana to Jamnagar in Gujarat? Is it not injustice for Telangana? Is Telangana not a part of India?" he asked.

'Munugode will teach fitting lesson to BJP, TRS'

Madhu Yashki said Amit Shah did not make any announcement that benefits the people of the Munugode constituency or the Nalgonda district. "Both KCR and Amit Shah believe that they can win elections by cheating the people. They are ridiculing democracy by not addressing the immediate issues concerning the common man like inflation and unemployment. Both the parties are hoping to win the by-elections by luring voters with their ill-gotten money. But this time, the people of Munugode will teach a fitting lesson to both BJP and TRS by voting in favour of the Congress party," he said.

Meanwhile, Uttam Kumar Reddy strongly condemned the BJP government over the release of 11 convicts in the gang rape and murder of seven people in the Bilkis Bano case. It is shameful that BJP leaders not only felicitated the rapists and murderers following their release but also called them "Sanskari." "BJP has no ethics or shame. It survives only on hate politics. Instead of taking measures to control rising prices of essential commodities and fuel and provide employment, the BJP government takes refuge behind communal politics," he alleged.

Maheshwar Reddy said BJP has ruined Karnataka with their hate politics. "Our Telangana will be ruined if the 'Gujarat Todu Dongalu' is given any power here," he alleged.