Will Uphold Srikanth Chary's Vision: Ponnam

Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar today said that the Congress government was working as per the aspirations of Telangana movement martyr Srikanth Chary.

Addressing a Youth Day conference to mark the occasion of Chary's death anniversary at the Basheerbagh Press Club, the minister said that the Telangana government was committed to fulfilling Chary's vision.

"Srikanth Chary was not just a martyr, but a symbol of inspiration who reignited the spirit of Telangana, even in his final moments," Ponnam said.

He criticised those who he said undermined the movement's legacy by claiming undue credit. "Telangana's formation was a result of relentless efforts by many. Even Sonia Gandhi, who was deeply invested in the cause, played a pivotal role. However, many people who contributed nothing to the movement today try to seek credit," he said.

Ponnam also reflected on the hardships faced by the people during the movement, including prolonged strikes by RTC and Singareni employees that disrupted Southern India's electricity supply. The activists underwent even more difficulties, with resistance right from the then Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy. However, despite all the massive headwinds, the activists persisted, succeeding in making the MPs from the region block the President's address and stage a 48-hour protest on Parliament steps, and eventually extricating statehood for the region, he said.

Ponnam also condemned the recent remarks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which he said had insulted the sacrifices of Telangana's martyrs. "Modi's remarks likening the division of Andhra and Telangana to killing the mother to save the child are shameful. Telangana's creation followed proper legislative procedures," he said. He urged Kishan Reddy and other BJP leaders to seek an apology from the PM for that remark.

His government was now doing everything in its power to realise the benefits of that struggle for the people, Ponnam claimed. "We have increased allowances for Gurukul students by 40%, recruited teachers, offered promotions, and conducted examinations for Group 1, 2 and 3 jobs, apart from all the welfare measures we have taken for farmers," he said.

Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, MLC M Kodandaram and MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao were also present in the conference. Krishna Rao said that the sacrifices of the martyrs like Chary in the achievement of Telangana statehood were unforgettable, and that the State was formed on the foundation of their sacrifices.