- K.T. Rama Rao exposes Congress’s unfulfilled promises to auto drivers
- Financial hardship and broken welfare pledges haunt Hyderabad’s auto workers
Rahul Gandhi must answer for betraying Telangana’s auto drivers, BRS Working President K.Tarak Rama Rao (KTR) said, exposing the Congress government’s record of failed promises and growing hardship among the state’s auto-rickshaw workers.
In a pointed critique, KTR detailed how political assurances made during the 2023 Telangana election campaign have not been translated into real help for drivers facing tough economic times.
During the heated campaign, Rahul Gandhi had made a show of solidarity by traveling with auto drivers in Hyderabad, pledging to create an Auto Drivers’ Welfare Board and provide ₹12,000 in annual financial aid to every auto driver. Two years after those commitments, none have materialized, KTR alleged.
He recounted meeting Mashrat Ali, the auto owner who drove Rahul Gandhi two years ago, whose situation has worsened drastically under the Congress administration.
KTR explained that Mashrat Ali, once the owner of two auto-rickshaws, has now had to sell both vehicles due to mounting financial stress. The former owner was forced to rent autos at ₹400 a day just to keep working. Highlighting the gravity of the issue, KTR quoted Mashrat Ali: “Sir, I was an owner then, today I am a driver. I used to earn ₹2,500 a day, now I barely make ₹1,000. Congress betrayed us. They promised a welfare board and ₹1,000 monthly support but gave us nothing. They even took away what little we had.”
KTR further revealed the larger social impact: “Auto drivers are losing their livelihoods, and 161 have already taken their own lives due to the Congress government’s neglect.”
He criticized Rahul Gandhi’s continued rhetoric about serving the poor, stating that the current Telangana government’s policies are pushing working-class citizens deeper into poverty.
The BRS leader condemned what he called Congress’s moral hypocrisy, saying, “Rahul Gandhi preaches compassion and equality, but his government practices betrayal. When you cannot honour promises to poor auto drivers, you lose the moral right to speak about justice.”
He pressed for Rahul Gandhi to take moral responsibility and deliver on the promised welfare board and annual assistance. “Words don’t feed families — promises must be honoured. Telangana’s auto drivers deserve respect and relief, not deceit,” KTR stated, affirming that BRS would continue advocating for fair treatment until justice is achieved.
Now you can get the latest stories from Indtoday on Telegram every day. Click the link to subscribe. Click to follow Indtoday’s Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram. For all the latest Hyderabad News updates
