KCR has let down Tribals in Telangana: Uttam

• Uttam promises empowerment of STs when Congress to power
• Gaddar shares stage with Congress, Left leaders for first time
• CPI (M) vows to fight for social justice in TS

Hyderabad, July 1: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has accused Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao of doing injustice with Tribals by depriving them the deserved share in power, resources and opportunities in the State.

Addressing a massive public meeting organised by Lambada Hakkula Porata Sangam (LHPS) in Khammam on Saturday, the TPCC Chief said that the Tribals have played a major role in formation of Telangana while expecting a better future in the new State. However, he said KCR did not fulfil a single major promise made with STs, both during the statehood movement and in the TRS manifesto for 2014 elections. He said KCR did not increase the reservation percentage of STs in proportionate to their population after the formation of new State although he promised 12% quota in jobs and education in the election manifesto. He said that the government was empowered to increase the reservation percentage of STs by just issuing a GO. However, KCR adopted a tedious and long approach to deny STs the increased share in quota by over three years and the same is still not being implemented.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said TRS Government also failed to fulfil the promise of converting tribal tandas into Gram Panchayats. The ITDA facility to plain area Tribals was also denied. He said STs also did not get their due share in jobs, three acres land or double bed room housing scheme. He said KCR will be remembered in history for arresting, chaining and hand-cuffing of tribal farmers of Khammam who protest seeking a fair price for their chilli produce. He said that the STs have fully trusted KCR in 2014. However, he said the same Tribals would teach a fitting lesson to the TRS in 2019 elections.

The TPCC Chief said that the Congress party was set to return to power in 2019 elections and it would do justice with all STs by providing them equal opportunities for growth and development.

For the first time after formation of Telangana State, popular balladeer singer Gaddar shared the dais with Congress and Left party leaders. He enthralled the audience with his scintillating performance on his songs on Telangana. Addressing the gathering, amid loud cheers, Gaddar said that there was no social justice in Telangana. “A person (KCR) belonging to a community which constitute only 0.05% of the total population is ruling over 95.5% people in Telangana State. If KCR can become CM, why can’t a tribal become the Chief Minister? TRS Government is suppressing the rights of Tribals on many issues,” he alleged.

CPI (M) State Secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram said that the communist parties would fight for social justice in Telangana State.

All the tribal leaders on the dais felicitated Bellya Naik, founder president of LHPS, on his appointment as the Vice-Chairman of AICC ST Department.

Former union minister T. Balram Naik and Deputy CLP leader Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy also spoke on the occasion.