Hyderabad: The Congress government’s much-awaited public outreach programme, ‘Face-to-Face with Ministers’, resumed on Wednesday at Indira Bhavan, giving citizens, party workers, and elected representatives a direct line to voice their grievances and suggestions before the state cabinet.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar led the maiden session, patiently receiving petitions and listening to concerns ranging from land disputes and senior citizen issues to employment demands and party-related matters. The programme had been stalled earlier due to unavoidable reasons, but has now been revived under the direction of PCC chief and AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan.
Speaking at the session, Ponnam said the initiative is part of the Congress government’s commitment to understanding and resolving public issues from the ground up. “This is a space where the people can speak, and the ministers must listen. The aim is clear accountability and action,” he said.
Reaffirming Gandhi Bhavan’s symbolic importance to the party, the minister described it as a “temple” for Congress workers. “Just as there’s no village without a Hanuman temple, there should be no village without an Indiramma house. That’s the vision we are working toward again,” he added, referring to the Congress’s flagship housing scheme.
Ponnam didn’t shy away from political jabs either. He accused BRS leaders of indulging in theatrics post-defeat, claiming their recent controversies were nothing more than “storms in a teacup.” He dismissed Kavitha’s activism as a ploy to stay politically relevant, while asserting that neither she nor KTR’s provocations mattered to the Congress government.
Responding to BRS criticisms, Transport Minister Ponnam retorted that the party was trying to divert attention from its failures. “KCR looted public wealth like water flowing down the drain. Now they fear scrutiny,” he said, adding that the Ghose Commission is free to summon anyone as part of its probe.
The minister also warned that those selling illusions about development would not escape accountability. “Letters written for media headlines won’t distract us from our governance mission,” he said.
He urged Congress workers and citizens alike to use the face-to-face platform proactively. “This isn’t just a forum it’s a fast-track for real solutions. Those who built this government through their sweat and struggle deserve to be heard first,” he said.