Telangana assembly elections 2018: Sonia Gandhi storms TRS bastion, says KCR left newborn state to fend for itself

HYDERABAD: Seeking to woo all sections of voters, including farmers, students, youth, minorities, Dalits and the poor, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday accused KCR and family of enjoying all benefits of new state and not sharing them with people.

She compared Telangana to a new-born and said she was disappointed that TRS had left the baby to fend for itself. “The development that was expected did not take place,” she added. “Use your vote to get rid of such a person and his family rule by giving huge majority to Congress and its alliance candidates. Teach KCR and TRS a befitting lesson.”

Stating that Congress had to pay for its decision to carve out Telangana, she reassured that her party was committed to giving special category status to AP. Speaking a little Telugu, she said “neellu, nidhulu and niyamakalu (water, funds and jobs)”, and asked how many of these were extended to people of Telangana. “Did the government take any firm steps to fulfil these dreams? Leave alone doing good for farmers, the TRS government has ignored even the Land Acquisition Act brought by the Congress for benefit of farmers. Even benefits of MNREGA are not reaching the people,” she said.

Rahul said TRS raj was all set to end. “KCR rules according to his whims and has done everything for the benefit of his family. The new alliance government will work for the people and not an individual or family.” TPCC chief Uttam Kumar Reddy announced ₹2 lakh crop loan waiver, one lakh government jobs, ₹3,000 monthly unemployment allowance and other sops.