Congress’s 18-month-rule a golden period for Telangana: TPCC chief 

Terming the 18-month Congress rule in the State a golden period, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Mahesh Kumar Goud slammed the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) for resorting to mudslinging against the government as it is unable to digest the government’s welfare and development-oriented approach. He also reiterated his party’s commitment to doing justice to the Backwards Classes (BCs) by discussing the issue of ensuring 42% representation of BCs in local body elections within the party.

Speaking to the media at Gandhi Bhavan on Wednesday, Mr. Mahesh Kumar said that the Congress is prepared to organise an open debate on its 18 months of rule. Regarding local body elections, Mr. Mahesh Kumar emphasized that they would be conducted in accordance with the court’s judgment and assured that the Congress is committed to providing reservations for BCs in local body elections. He also criticised BJP leaders for their silence on BC reservations, underscoring the Congress’s commitment to this cause.

Mr. Mahesh Kumar highlighted the party’s achievements, including disbursals of ₹9,000 crore into farmers’ accounts under Rythu Bharosa and allocating ₹1.04 lakh crore for farmer welfare. He emphasised the Congress government’s pro-farmer stance and its efforts to satisfy all sections of society. Mr. Goud accused the BRS’s social media of spreading false narratives and raised questions about the BRS’s role in certain projects, such as the Pothiretar project and the Krishna water issue. He also accused BRS MLC K. Kavitha of trying to utilise the BC cause and issues related to women for political gain.

Looking ahead to the GHMC elections and the Jubilee Hills by-election, the MLC expressed confidence in the Congress’s victory, stating that the party would win whenever there are elections in the State. The TPCC president announced that AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge would visit Hyderabad on July 4, and the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the party would be convened on the same day.