Revanth Reddy Terms Sonia Gandhi As Mother Of Telangana

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy termed Congress leader Sonia Gandhi as the mother of Telangana State, and said that the strong bond between the mother and the Telangana land is above politics.

Addressing the Telangana State Formation Day celebrations at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad today, the Chief Minister said that the government had invited Gandhi to attend the Formation Day celebrations as the chief guest as the latter had fulfilled the Telangana people's aspirations by granting statehood to the region.

He also found fault with the leaders who asked in what capacity Gandhi was invited.

"Does it require permission to invite a mother to the child's home? In what position did we recognise Mahatma Gandhi as the father of the nation? As long as the history of Telangana exists, Sonia Gandhi will be recognised and respected as the mother by the Telangana society. A strong bond between this land and its mother is above politics," Reddy said.

He said that it was the hugely courageous step taken by Sonia Gandhi 10 years back that resulted in the formation of Telangana State.

"As the chairperson of the UPA government on that day, she took forward the process of creating Telangana State with the strongest determination. Similarly, the second credit goes to freedom fighter Babu Jagjivan Ram's daughter, Meera Kumari, who was then the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. As a woman, as a mother who knows how painful it is to lose a child, Meera Kumari gave full support to the Telangana agitation and played a crucial role in getting the Telangana Bill passed in the Lok Sabha. In addition to this, BJP leader Sushma Swaraj as the Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha too extended full support for the Telangana Bill. The people of Telangana will never forget the sacrifices and contributions made by these three women leaders," Revanth Reddy said.

The Chief Minister said that on behalf of the four crore people of Telangana, the State government expressed its gratitude to Sonia Gandhi, Meera Kumari and Sushma Swaraj for fulfilling their dream of a separate State, and that the three leaders would remain in the history of Telangana forever.