Telangana Municipal Polls: TPCC chief slams BJP, alleges ‘step-motherly treatment’ by Centre
TPCC Chief Mahesh Kumar Goud accused the BJP-led Central Government of ‘step-motherly treatment,’ presenting data to claim that Telangana is being financially throttled to benefit Northern states.
By Kaniza Garari
Hyderabad: The political battlefield in Telangana has intensified as the State approaches the high-stakes Municipal Elections on February 11.
In a powerful dual-narrative unfolding, TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud launched a blistering attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party for alleged ‘tax discrimination,’ while Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief Pawan Kalyan prepared to arrive in the State to bolster the BJP-JSP alliance.
Goud attacks BJP
Speaking at Gandhi Bhavan on Wednesday, TPCC Chief Mahesh Kumar Goud accused the BJP-led Central Government of ‘step-motherly treatment,’ presenting data to claim that Telangana is being financially throttled to benefit Northern states.
The ‘Budget Betrayal’ in numbers:
1. Revenue Disparity: Goud highlighted that Telangana contributes 5.01 per cent to India’s GDP. He claimed that while the State deserved Rs 3.76 lakh crore back from the Centre over five years, it received only Rs 1.84 lakh crore.
2. GST Gap: Despite paying Rs 4.32 lakh crore in GST, the State saw a return of only Rs 3.76 lakh crore.
3. Diversion of Funds: Goud alleged that the hard-earned tax money of Telangana citizens is being diverted to states like Gujarat, violating the spirit of federalism. “What are the eight BJP MPs and two Union Ministers from Telangana doing?” Goud questioned, pointing to the lack of ‘National Status’ for irrigation projects and the stalling of key initiatives like the Bayyaram Steel Plant and Regional Ring Road (RRR), he asked.
The Pawan Kalyan factor
The entry of Pawan Kalyan into the Telangana campaign has added a celebrity-charged dimension to the local body polls. The JSP chief is scheduled for a ‘Two-Day Blitz’ on February 7 and 8, campaigning for the JSP-BJP alliance across various municipalities.
TPCC’s rebuttal
Mahesh Kumar Goud dismissed Pawan Kalyan’s involvement as a sign of the BJP’s ‘political bankruptcy.’ Goud recalled past remarks by Pawan Kalyan that were perceived as derogatory toward Telangana, asserting that the ‘self-respecting voters of Telangana’ would not forget or forgive.
He claimed the BJP is using Kalyan as a ‘crutch’ because they have failed to build a credible local leadership to challenge the Congress people’s government.
Goud stated that while the BJP relies on religious polarisation and incidents like the Bhainsa riots to garner votes, the Congress party seeks votes solely on the plank of development and welfare.
