Hyderabad: TPCC president and MLC Mahesh Kumar Goud challenged K Chandrasekhar Rao to make Talasani Srinivas Yadav the Opposition leader instead of holding a BRS mock Assembly. He made the remarks at a media conference at Telangana Bhavan.
Goud said BRS leaders should focus on their role as an Opposition rather than stage what he called a “reel mock Assembly”. He pointed out that the BRS had given a BC leader the chief minister’s role during the event.
“If KCR has sincerity, he should make Talasani Srinivas Yadav the Opposition leader,” Goud said. He added that the government could consider withdrawing the suspension if BRS gave the Opposition leader’s position to a BC leader.
Goud also launched a strong attack on the BRS over its alleged treatment of Dalits. He said the party’s remarks against the Speaker had exposed its attitude towards Dalits.
He alleged that BRS leaders deliberately targeted the Speaker. Goud also recalled the use of the Dalit card during the Telangana movement and questioned the party’s record on the community.
BRS mock Assembly sparks fresh attack over Dalit issues
Goud said people knew how the BRS had allegedly treated Gaddar and Ande Sri. He also announced that he would release a document covering promises KCR made in 2003.
The TPCC chief demanded a white paper on those promises. He also sought details of atrocities and attacks against Dalits during KCR’s 10-year rule.
Goud questioned the implementation of the three-acre land promise and the Dalit Bandhu scheme. He alleged that the government introduced Dalit Bandhu for the Huzurabad bypoll.
He further criticised the reported purification of land after Dalits walked on it. Goud described the act as an insult to the Dalit community.
According to Goud, installing a statue of BR Ambedkar alone would not honour his legacy. He said leaders should follow Ambedkar’s principles and advice in practice.
Goud also accused KCR of promising to make a Dalit the chief minister and later breaking that promise. He said the Dalit community would not forgive him for it.
Meanwhile, Goud alleged that KCR had used Dalit issues for electoral gains. He said the BRS had followed an anti-BC, anti-Dalit and anti-minority approach during its decade in power.
He also questioned KCR’s absence from the Assembly. Goud said KCR did not attend the House because he would have to address a Dalit Speaker as “president”, referring to the remarks made during the controversy.
On other political developments, Goud said he had no information about reports that the Congress high command had summoned former minister Konda Surekha. He also demanded that authorities expose anyone who had encroached on government properties.