KCR's "Dallas Dreams" are childish: Shabbir Ali

Hyderabad, Jan 31 (INN): Leader of Opposition in Telangana Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir has ridiculed Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao's claim of developing Hyderabad on the lines of Dallas in US.

Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan here on Sunday, Shabbir Ali said KCR tried to mislead the people of Hyderabad by making vague promises in view of GHMC elections. Referring to KCR's speech at Parade Grounds, he said KCR must clarify why he wants to emulate Dallas. He said Hyderabad is better placed that Dallas in terms of an international airport, Outer Ring Ring Road, IT sector and many other areas. "Earlier, KCR wanted to follow Singapore model. Then he turned towards Istanbul and now he is speaking about Dallas. This talk is nothing but childish," he said.

Shabbir Ali accused KCR of enacting the drama of 'rivalry' with his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N. Chandrababu Naidu. "Both are sending greetings and gifts to each other on all occasions. They have been maintaining close friendly relationship off camera. But just in view of elections, KCR and Naidu are attacking each other. They are enacting a fake fight which a couple enacts just to shoo away un-wanted guests in the house," he alleged and asked as to why KCR is not taking action against Naidu in 'Cash for Vote' case.

"KCR phrase, 'What business Naidu has in Hyderabad and he should go to Amravati' is an indirect threat to people hailing from Seemandhra region. Tomorrow, KCR might say the same thing to people of other regions," he said.

The Congress leader also slammed KCR for announcing that he would allot Municipal Administration & Urban Development portfolio to his son K. Tarakarama Rao. "KCR wants to confine the power and important portfolios to his family. If he wants to promote KTR for being young, then he should directly make him the Chief Minister. People are watching and they will give a fitting reply to such tactics," he said.

Shabbir Ali strongly criticised MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi for making personal remarks against him using offensive language. "I welcome Akbaruddin Owaisi's demand for a CBI probe against me. But by stating so authoritatively that he would initiate CBI probe, he has proved our allegations right that MIM leaders are close to BJP Government. He said only Prime Minister Narender Modi can order CBI enquiry and since Owaisi brothers are now BJP allies, he would abide by their demand," he said. Further, he said Akbaruddin Owaisi should also seek CBI probe into the irregularities into admissions into Deccan Medical College. The MIM should publish the list of poor candidates who were given free admission in 60% of 150 medical seats.

"Financial irregularities in Darulsalaam Bank, including benami accounts, should also be probed and several complaints are pending against the bank with Reserve Bank of India. Akbaruddin Owaisi should also explain how his assets increased from Rs. 3-4 crore in 2009 to Rs. 17 crore in 2014. He should disclose his sources of income. People of Old City have remained poor, but the MIM leaders have turned rich by exploiting them," he said.

"As the then minister in Congress Government, I constituted country's first Minorities Welfare Department in 1993. In the same year, Akbaruddin Owaisi was busy fighting with his father and brother over the incident of his elopement with a girl. A person who did not respected his own father and brother, have no right to comment on me. I'm a true Muslim and my religion Islam does not permit me to use abusive language against anyone. I can't stoop down to the level of Akbaruddin Owaisi just for political gains," he said adding that MIM leaders were under the grip of fear of losing elections.