Shabbir Ali ridicules KCR's claims on popularity

Shabbir Ali ridicules KCR's claims on popularity

Hyderabad, October 13: Leader of Opposition in Telangana State Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir has ridiculed Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao's claim that Telangana Rashtra Samithi was still the most popular party in Telangana.

Addressing a press conference at Congress Legislature Party office here on Thursday, Shabbir Ali said that the Chief Minister was not willing to accept the reality that ruling TRS had lost people's faith during the last 28 months. Alleging that KCR was living in an illusionary world, he challenged him to make 25 defected MLAs and three Lok Sabha MPs to resign from their post and go for by-elections. "If you are so confident of your popularity, then why you are afraid of facing by-elections?" he asked.

Shabbir Ali said that the TRS won the previous by-elections and GHMC polls on the basis of fake promises. However, people have realised that the Chief Minister has cheated them on repeated occasions. When asked how many seats Congress party would win if by-elections are held today, Shabbir Ali said that the Congress would emerge victorious in majority of Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies. He said that the defected MLAs, MLCs and MPs were bound to face disqualification as the case against their defection was coming up for hearing in the Supreme Court on October 19.

Referring to the Chief Minister's meeting with leaders of minority community at his farm house on Wednesday, Shabbir Ali said that the Chief Minister was making wrong claims on the development of minorities in the State. "Not a single promise made with minorities has been fulfilled. KCR had promised to provide 12% quota in jobs and education to Muslims within four months after coming to power. This remained a distant dream. More than two years were wasted in the name of Sudhir Commission. Entire process proved to be an eye wash. Now the remaining term would be wasted in the name of BC Commission," he said. Further, he said that the government was reportedly trying to create legal complications by not appointing a retired judge of High Court as Commission’s chairman.

Shabbir Ali that KCR's appointing Muslims to the post of MLC, Rajya Sabha seat or other corporations would not resolve the problems being faced by the community. He advised him to emulate Congress party which empowered more than 10 lakh poor Muslims by providing them 4% quota in education and jobs. He asked the Chief Minister to come up with a clear road map on implementing 12% Muslim reservation.

Commenting on the Chief Minister's assurance to provide direct loans to minorities, he said more than 1.67 lakh loan applications taken last year were still pending. Neither the State Minorities Finance Corporation nor banks were showing any interest in giving loans. If the Chief Minister is serious, he should approve all 1.67 lakh applications by allocating Rs. 3,000 crore. Similarly, he said nearly 7,000 applications under Shaadi Mubarak scheme were pending with the government. "KCR has become habitual of making new announcements without even checking the status of promises made earlier," he said.

On KCR's claims that Telangana has a sound financial position, Shabbir Ali asked as to why a financially stable government was unable to clear dues of crop loan waiver scheme. He said that the government did not even clear third installment of crop loan waiver scheme and so far only 12.5% amount was paid. Similarly, employees' PRC arrears of nearly Rs. 4,000 crore were pending for the last 11 months. Likewise, the government has kept the clearance of nearly Rs. 3,000 crore of Fee Reimbursement dues in abeyance. There are no funds to clear Aarogyasri dues and not even 30% of funds meant for SC, ST, BC, and Minorities Welfare were released so far. "If Telangana Government is financially sound, then where are the funds going? Why the government is unable to spending money on farmers, students and poor patients?" he asked.

Shabbir Ali said that the Chief Minister has been claiming that he had borrowed loans of Rs. 20,000 crore for Mission Bhagiratha in just 20 days. "If you can borrow money for Mission Bhagarathi to get commission from contractors, then why are you not doing the same for welfare schemes and farmers?" he asked. He said that flagship scheme like double bed room houses for poor did not get any funds. He said that the State Government did not clear NREGS dues for the last two months and it even diverted Rs. 712 crore which it got from Centre towards input subsidy for farmers. He said funds sent to Gram Panchayats under 14th Finance Commission were utilised to pay utility bills.

He also asked the Chief Minister to clarify on Central funds. "BJP president Amit Shah had claimed that the Centre had given Rs. 90,000 crore. But the State Government contended that the amount was just Rs. 57,000 Crore. It must be clear as to who is lying on this issue," he said while demanding that the State Government release a White Paper on State's financial position.

Shabbir Ali also condemned the Chief Minister for giving special treatment to Siddipet district. He said when the Chief Minister could give Rs. 100 crore and a medical college to Siddipet, he should give at least Rs. 50 crore to remaining 30 districts and ensure at least one government engineering college. However, he raised suspicion over KCR fulfilling his promise and said that the Chief Minister has become notorious for his lies and taking quick u-turns.

He advised the Chief Minister to begin a new era based on truth from the spirit of Dassera. He said that the way KCR blames opposition parties, he should also learn to reply to their allegations. (eom)