The Telugu Fire Brand Lady In Rajyasabha

Congress MP and firebrand Renuka Chowdhury, belonging to Telangana, castigated the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre for discriminating all the southern states, and the Telugu states in particular.

Kerala suffered huge loss during the Wayanad landslide and floods but nothing significant was contributed to that state. Is it just because the BJP does not have a presence in the Southern states that they will be treated with discrimination?

She minced no words in lambasting the Centre for neglecting the assurances made to the Telugu states.

Speaking on the floor of the Rajya Sabha, the MP straightforward pointed out to some serious rhetoric. She reminded that on February 14, 2014, both the houses under the Prime Ministership of Dr Manmohan Singh made several promises to both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, ahead of the bifurcation. “Even after more than a decade, many assurances given to Khammam remain unfulfilled. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act was passed by both the Houses but both the Telugu states remain betrayed.”

At the same time, she did not forget to point out that the Andhra Pradesh government was supporting the BJP at the Centre, which is just a convenience that could be forgiven.

Listing out the unkept promises, she reminded that the Centre promised to set up a Steel Plant and Tribal University in Khammam district. Years have passed but nothing materialized.

A Central Horticultural University and national status to Palamuru Ranga Reddy lift irrigation project were also promised which still remain distant dreams. Two NTPC power units were also promised to be established at Ramagundam in Peddapalli district but they have not taken off, she pointed out.

She questioned the Centre for not being able to fulfil the decisions taken in the Parliament and pointed out that they were not begging for anything or a share in the family assets or any personal property. “It is our right and we have to get it.”

She said that the BJP government barely returns 0.4 paise to her state Telangana, a very young state, for every rupee contributed by the state through taxes towards the country. Nearly 4.5% of India’s total GDP is contributed by Telangana, she affirmed. Hamara Prayaas aur Aapka Vikas, she ridiculed the BJP.