Congress Won 90% In Municipal Elections: Revanth Reddy

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy today said that the Congress had won 90% of the seats in the recently concluded municipal elections, and that the election results were encouraging the government to strive harder for the empowerment of the poor in the future.

Addressing the Sant Sevalal Maharaj birth anniversary celebrations, the Chief Minister said, "We always maintain restraint. Our frame of mind is not to be elated when we win elections or dejected in defeat. We always fight elections to work relentlessly for the people."

Reddy said that he took responsibility for the outcome of the municipal elections. He also said that he had never behaved like a ruler but as a servant of the people, and that he would remain active for the next 20 years and continue to serve the people.

Responding to the criticism of his "Nene Raju Nene Mantri" remark, he said that the comment was made in the context of his roles as Chief Minister and Municipal Administration & Urban Development (MA&UD) Minister at the time of the municipal elections, and that he took responsibility for the results as the MA&UD Minister.

He accused the Opposition parties' leaders of believing that they were born to rule. He alleged that they were unable to digest the Congress victory, and were not ready to accept the political ground reality in the State.

Reddy said that a giant statue of Sant Sevalal Maharaj would be constructed in the Nallamala forest, and that the next anniversary celebrations would be held in a grand manner, strictly adhering to tribal traditions.

"Sant Sevalal inspired people to walk the path of peace and stood as a guide for the 15 crore Lambadis in the country," he said. He added that Lambadis played a key role in the Telangana movement, and paid tribute to Suresh Nayak and Kavita Nayak who he said sacrificed their lives.

The Chief Minister stressed that tribals, along with dalits, should be given priority and due respect in all aspects of life. He announced that BT roads would be constructed in all tribal tandas, and that proper road connectivity was a benchmark for development. Government schools, gram panchayat buildings, water tanks and solar pump sets for drinking water supply would also be developed in tribal habitations, he added, and claimed that Mission Bhagiratha had not provided safe drinking water in many rural areas.

The Chief Minister also criticised BRS president K Chandrashekar Rao for not fulfilling the promise of appointing a dalit as the Chief Minister of Telangana.

Reddy also said that the government was issuing ration cards as a symbol of respect for the poor.

He added that although the government did not have land to distribute, it was committed to providing high quality education and urged students to study hard. He said that the government had recruited competent officials from tribal communities to inspire students, and was building Young India Schools in 100 Assembly constituencies with an outlay of Rs 20,000 crore.

Expressing concern that poverty persisted due to lack of education, he said that the government was keen to provide high quality education to ensure growth and progress. He also said that the issue of SC classification had been addressed, and that though SCs (dalits) constituted 15% of the State's population, they were given 30% of government posts. They were also given four ministerial positions and the Speaker's post, he added.