Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan Takes Digs At KCR

Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan today launched a scathing attack on the KCR government, saying that development meant not just construction of buildings but contribution to nation-building.

Addressing the 74th Republic Day celebrations after hoisting the national flag at Raj Bhavan, Soundararajan said that the Telangana government had undermined Republic Day by deliberately making her unfurl the flag at Raj Bhavan itself.

"Just two days back, the government sent me a letter saying that the celebrations should be conducted at Raj Bhavan only. In that letter they also didn't mention whether the Chief Minister would attend the celebrations. But people are watching, and in Telangana's history it will be written that the Constitution is not respected," she said.

The Governor said that the Constitution needed to be protected and respected instead of its spirit being ignored, and expressed serious dissatisfaction over the style of functioning of the KCR government.

In the absence of a prepared text given by the government, the Governor chose to read out her own script, and made several critical comments against the Telangana government, while openly praising the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

In a series of snide comments about KCR, Soundararajan said, "What we need now is not the construction of farmhouses for a few people, but farmlands for the people. The farmers are committing suicides in big numbers. This has to be prevented."

She also alleged that the government was ignoring the State's universities.

"We should not pride ourselves on our students going abroad for higher studies; we should create infrastructure of international standards in our own universities," she said.

"I like Telangana State. Some people may dislike me but I strive hard for the development of Telangana. And the Raj Bhavan is ready to extend all kinds of support in this regard, and definitely my role in the progress of Telangana will continue," Soundararajan said.

Despite the change of venue, the Republic Day celebrations were held with ceremonial grandeur and patriotic fervour, with the police contingents conducting the parade.

Chief Secretary Shanti Kumari, Director General of Police Anjani Kumar and senior officials from various other departments attended the celebrations. Other citizens from various walks of life also participated in the celebrations in a large number.

On the occasion, Soundararajan felicitated RRR music director M M Keeravani and lyricist Chandrabose.

Earlier, the Governor paid tributes to the Telangana statehood martyrs at the War memorial at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad.