Hyderabad: Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar called for former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao to immediately resign as an MLA. He said Congress would press the KCR resignation demand at a Maha Dharna in Hyderabad on Sunday, September 6.
In a social media post, Ponnam urged Congress leaders and workers to make the protest at Indira Park Dharna Chowk a success. He said the programme would also highlight 1,000 days of the Congress government’s governance.
Congress leaders held a preparatory meeting in Hyderabad to review arrangements for the Maha Dharna. Meanwhile, Ponnam asked the party cadre to explain the government’s welfare and development programmes to the public. He also asked them to highlight what Congress described as failures of the previous BRS government.
KCR resignation demand linked to Assembly absence
Ponnam accused KCR of failing to perform his responsibilities as Leader of the Opposition. He also criticised the former Chief Minister over his absence from the Assembly.
The Minister alleged that KCR had drawn an MLA salary for 1,000 days while remaining absent from the House. Moreover, he accused him of remaining unavailable to people in his constituency.
Ponnam questioned why an elected representative should remain an MLA without fulfilling responsibilities towards the public. Therefore, he demanded KCR’s immediate resignation from the post.
Congress had also organised protests across constituencies in Telangana during the previous two days. Those programmes similarly sought KCR’s resignation, according to Ponnam.
Ponnam highlights Congress welfare programmes
Ponnam alleged that the previous BRS government’s decade in power caused severe damage to Telangana. He described the impact as equivalent to “100 years of destruction” in 10 years. In contrast, the Minister said Congress welfare programmes were reaching beneficiaries at the grassroots level.
He cited free bus travel for women and free electricity of up to 200 units. Additionally, he highlighted LPG cylinders at ₹500 and the Indiramma housing programme.
Ponnam also referred to government initiatives in farmer welfare, education and healthcare. He asked Congress workers to explain these programmes to people during the campaign. Ponnam said senior Congress leaders, MLAs, MLCs and elected representatives would attend Sunday’s Maha Dharna.
He asked DCC presidents and constituency in-charges to coordinate the mobilisation. In particular, Congress sought a large turnout from constituencies across Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts.
Furthermore, Ponnam called for extensive participation by the NSUI, Youth Congress and Mahila Congress. Other Congress frontal organisations were also asked to mobilise their members.
He instructed DCC presidents and constituency in-charges to coordinate with these organisations. They were also asked to conduct media conferences ahead of the protest.
Anil Kumar Yadav to oversee protest arrangements
Ponnam said Rajya Sabha MP Anil Kumar Yadav would oversee preparations at Indira Park Dharna Chowk. DCC presidents and MLAs were asked to meet at the venue at 4 pm and inspect arrangements. Meanwhile, Minister Azharuddin and Anil Kumar Yadav attended the preparatory meeting. Former MPs Madhu Yashki Goud and Anjan Kumar Yadav also took part.
MLA Naveen Yadav was present along with DCC presidents from Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Khairatabad and Secunderabad. Constituency in-charges, corporation chairpersons and other senior leaders also attended.
Ponnam called for coordination among all party units ahead of Sunday’s protest. He said the programme would combine the KCR resignation demand with a campaign highlighting the Congress government’s 1,000-day record.