Will make Telangana a global brand: Rahul

HYDERABAD: Under the scorching sun, as the crowd cheered him, Rahul Gandhi, the vice-president of the Congress, 'sold' a rather catchy idea to the people of Telangana on Monday.

The idea: Vote for the Congress and make 'Made in Telangana' products go global. 'The Congress has fulfilled your long- cherished dream of Telangana.

Now, vote for the Congress to make 'Made in Telangana' products available across the globe,' Rahul Gandhi said as the crowd, particularly women and youth, cheered him.

The undeclared prime ministerial candidate of the congress also urged the people of Telangana to dream big. 'You should dream big (and vote for the Congress).

Congress will develop industrial corridors in the country,' he said to a thunderous applause from the crowd which was indirectly told that voting for TRS would amount to 'dreaming small'.

Youth, women and backward class people, who attended the meeting in large number, greeted Rahul several times during Rahul's one-hour stay in the town.

The youth, in particular, seemed to be bowled over by the Rahul's remarks on Telangana's future. 'We want to improve productivity in the country and to provide employment to the youth.

The Congress is responsible for the advent of information technology in the country. Now, IT products, chappals, mobiles and all other products should be available in other countries with 'Made in Telangana' tag as we see 'Made in China' tag to each and every product in the country now,' he said.

'Rahul's meeting was more successful than his mother Sonia Gandhi's recent meeting in Karimnagar,' said some Congress workers.

IRRIGATION PROJECTS: Rahul Gandhi assured that the Pranahita-Chevella and Palamur lift irrigation projects would be declared as national projects if the Congress returned to power in Delhi and in Telangana.

Listing the achievements of the UPA during its ten-year rule, he promised that the Congress, if elected to power, would ensure passage of the bill providing 33 per cent reservation to women, provide protected houses to all eligible poor within three years and implement an Arogyasri-like health programme across the country.

Union minister and Mahbubnagar Lok Sabha candidate S Jaipal Reddy said: 'Rahul is a democratic man and will not fool the people with false promises.'

Former state minister DK Aruna sought establishment of the 4,000 MW power plant in the district. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Ponnala Lakshman and working president N Uttam Kumar Reddy, and Nagarkurnool Lok Sabha candidate Nandi Yellaiah and all Assembly candidates from the district were present.