Opposition, students criticise Centre's work in Telangana

Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Hyderabad sparked criticism and protests from various Opposition leaders and student organisations across Telangana. The protesters accused Modi of neglecting Telangana by failing to fulfil his promises of creating jobs and establishing educational institutions. The opposition also raised concerns about corruption and economic reforms in the state.

Congress protests

Ponnala Lakshmaiya, Former IT & Communications Minister of Congress, criticised the ruling BJP for using Modi’s official events for political gain. Lakshmaiya questioned the BJP’s record on fulfilling election promises such as creating two crore jobs and developing infrastructure. He also raised concerns about corruption, the liquor scam, and the fate of the Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR), which was expected to create 70 lakh jobs.

The opposition leader demanded assurance and clarity on the Centre’s share in the state’s development. Lakshmaiya accused the BJP and its ‘ally’, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (TRS), of failing to deliver on their promises and referred to them as “two frauds”. He warned that their inaction would lead to further disillusionment among the public.

Students’ protests

Members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) protested Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Telangana by floating black balloons.

During the protest, SFI State Secretary T Nagaraju and DYFI State President Kota Ramesh criticised Modi for the country’s increasing unemployment rate and failing to fulfil his promise of creating two crore jobs per year. They also accused Modi of neglecting Telangana by not allocating any higher education institutions to the state in the past eight years.

The protesters claimed that promised institutions, such as Navodaya Vidyalayam, nursing colleges, and medical colleges, have not been established, and that IITs, IIMs, and tribal and horticulture universities were not built. The Bayyaram Steel Factory, which could have provided jobs for Telangana students and the unemployed, was also not established. The protesters stated that Modi had betrayed Telangana and therefore had no right to visit the state.

Additionally, the protesters accused Modi of damaging the education sector by implementing the new national education system and changing the history of revolutionaries and national movement heroes from history lessons. They claimed that universities were not providing fellowships to Dalit, Adivasi, Tribal and BC students by reducing funding and that scholarships for minority students were cancelled.

SFI and DYFI members demanded that Modi address the issues affecting the future of Telangana students, such as the recent leak of the Class 10 paper by the BJP state president.

CPI(M) leaders demand economic reforms

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI(M) leaders organised a protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Telangana, alleging the government’s negligence in implementing economic reforms in the state. The demonstration was held from Golkanda Square to RTC Crossroad in Hyderabad on Saturday.

The CPI(M) leaders raised slogans demanding the stopping of Singareni privatisation, the establishment of Bayyaram steel factory, Khajipet railway coach factory, tribal university, and the creation of two crore jobs every year. They also criticised the increase in prices of essential commodities and the lack of employment opportunities in the state.

CPI(M) central committee members G Nagaiah, State Secretariat members DG Narasimha Rao and T Jyoti called for a boycott of Modi’s visit, saying that the BJP government is grossly neglecting to provide funds for the development of the state. They expressed concern about Singareni’s privatisation and claimed that the government is planning to sell the country to corporate organisations. The CPI(M) leaders demanded that the Central government’s policies towards Telangana should be destroyed, and urged for immediate economic reforms to address the state's issues.

CPI protests

The state secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), Koonanneni Sambasivarao, condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Hyderabad, stating that none of the promises made by the Central government in the partition has been fulfilled, and accused the Modi government of trying to exploit Telangana’s resources for people like Adani.

The CPI organised protests in various mandal and district centres with the slogan “Go Back Modi," resulting in the arrests of several party workers and members.

Sambasivarao also alleged that BJP state president Bandi Sanjay was involved in leaking Class 10 examination papers to destabilise the state government and demanded severe punishment for those involved in the crime. The CPI leader condemned the police’s behaviour towards the party and student union leaders who had called for protest programs and warned of agitation if the police continued to act in such a manner.

The BJP government at the Centre was also criticised for passing the monetary exchange bill related to the budget of Rs 50 lakh crore without any discussion in the budget meetings of the Parliament.

Sharmila questions Modi

YS Sharmila, President, YSR Telangana Party, demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Hyderabad, fulfil the long-pending bifurcation promises made to Telangana. Sharmila expressed her concern about the delay and negligence in addressing the issues and unfulfilled promises made to Telangana. She urged the Prime Minister to announce funds for various state projects.