KCR family encroached upon Telangana's exchequer: Shabbir Ali

Hyderabad, Nov 2 (INN): Leader of Opposition in Telangana State Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir has accused Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and his family of encroaching upon the exchequer of Telangana State.

Speaking at "Meet The Press" programme on 'Telangana: Past, Present and Future' organised by Telangana Union of Working Journalist here on Monday, Shabbir Ali said that KCR has diverted almost all the funds for departments under his control or those falling under the portfolios held by his son K.Tarakarama Rao or son-in-law T. Harish Rao. He alleged that KCR has been using Telangana State and its resources as his personal fiefdom. Except for KCR family, no one benefitted from the formation of Telangana.

"People had lot of expectations with the separate state of Telangana. They expected that resources like water and land would be utilised for State's development. They expected a share in power and restoration of self-respect and culture of Telangana and for the same reasons, over 2,000 youth and students laid down their lives. However, KCR has turned the dream of Telangana into a nightmare," Shabbir Ali said.

Shabbir Ali claimed that Telangana would not have had become a reality without the support and involvement of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. "KCR is unable to help the farmers who are in distress. He is unable to visit the families of those who committed suicide. He could not even keep up his promise of giving Chief Minister's post to a Dalit leader. People are aware of the difficulties which Congress faced to pass the AP Reorganisation Act in the Parliament. Telangana would have remained a dream for another 60 years if it had to depend on KCR," he said.

The Congress leader alleged that KCR was not serious in fulfilling the promise of 12% reservation for Muslims in the State. He pointed out that the previous Congress regime, led by Dr. Y.S.Rajashekar Reddy, gave 5% Muslim quota in just 56 days after coming to power. However, KCR did not move an inch during the last 17 months. Sudhir Committee has no powers and could not recommend reservation. Therefore, if KCR is honest, then he must constitute a Backward Classes Commission. He ridiculed KCR's contention that he would provide 12% reservation by following Tamil Nadu module. He said that the Tamil Nadu is giving 69% reservation as per Schedule 9. However, Schedule 9 itself is being reviewed by the Supreme Court and BC Commission has been asked to file its counter.

"How can KCR expect Prime Minister Narender Modi and anti-Muslim BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre to support 12% Muslim reservation while going against their ideology and agenda?," he asked adding that the BJP Government had scrapped Muslim quota in Maharashtra which was cleared by the court. Modi had also objected to the support given by Grand Alliance in Bihar for Muslim reservation, he said.

When asked about issues for Warangal by-elections, Shabbir Ali said that the Congress party would expose the failures of TRS Government and also raise the issues of Alair and Warangal encounters. While five Muslims were killed at Alair, Shruti and Vidya Sagar were killed by police in Warangal. These killings are nothing but State high-handedness to instill ruling party's fear among people.

Shabbir Ali also alleged that MIM and BJP were going together to damage the Muslims across the country. He said that Congress would take on MIM in all the streets and lanes of Hyderabad during next GHMC elections. "MIM leaders have grown rich. Their assets have multiplied by many times in the last few years. But their voters and residents of Old City have remained poor. MIM-backed illegal money lenders have been collecting exorbitant interest of 10% per day or 300% per month from the poor vendors and auto-rickshaw drivers. MIM did nothing to improve the conditions of people living in the Old City," he said.

TUWJ President Shoukat Ali Sufi, General Secretary Hadi Raheel, Vice-Presidents MSJ Vara Prasad and Dr. Ghulam Abbas Khan and other office bearers were also present.