Centre Indifferent To Telangana's Woes: E Dayakar Rao

Telangana Panchayat Raj Minister Errabelli Dayakar Rao today came down heavily on the BJP-led Centre for its "step-motherly attitude" towards the state.

Addressing a campaign meeting for the TRS' candidate for the upcoming MLC elections in the Warangal-Nalgonda-Khammam graduates' constituency, the minister criticised the Modi regime for allegedly failing to sanction medical colleges, the Information Technology Investment Region project, a coach factory and a steel factory to the state.

"Although the Centre got about Rs 2.75 lakh crore in taxes from Telangana, it has given us less than half that amount over the last six years with which to develop the state. The Centre takes our money and invests it into the BJP-led states of the nation while not doing anything to help our state. It ignores our pleas for funds and projects. Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal has also played a part in this by stating that there is no need of setting up a railway coach factory in Telangana, and has therefore taken away an employment avenue from our people," he alleged.

Rao then hit out at the BJP leaders in Telangana for not asking "their party's government at the Centre" to extend developmental funds and support to the state.

"While BJP leaders like Bandi Sanjay, D K Aruna and others have made a habit out of slandering our government in their misinformation campaigns, they have never themselves done anything to strengthen the state. However, their attempts fool nobody since Telangana is known for the success of its many welfare programs. We have made irrigation facilities and power accessible to our people, and have made subsidised housing and education a reality. Our farmers have benefited from the many agricultural schemes we have launched as well. The BJP should stop blaming us for its own shortcomings and failures," he said.

"It is surprising to see the ease with which the saffron party's leaders point fingers at their rivals. The BJP has often targeted us for failing to generate employment. It is actually the Centre that is taking away jobs from the people of the state and the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who started off as a tea vendor at railway stations is today trying to privatise everything from the railways to the PSUs of India," Rao alleged.

He then urged the voters of the Warangal-Nalgonda-Khammam constituency to support the TRS in the upcoming MLC elections, assuring them that it was the party that would "prioritise the people's welfare over all else"