The 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly election is scheduled to be held on 30 November 2023 to elect all 119 members of the state’s Legislative Assembly. The results will be declared on 3 December 2023.

Congress is committed to the cause of women, the marginalized and the minorities. It has always ensured that the dalits, SC and ST along with minorities get plum posts in administration. Even in the neighboring state of Karnataka, it gave the Chief Minister’s post to a backward class leader. The party’s commitment to providing a level field to different sections of society is consistent and continuous.

The election in Telangana is seminal in more ways than one. It is the battle between Congress and BRS. Congress is the party which has pledged to empower the people of the state, while BRS is committed to empower one family. Congress is dedicated to work for the marginalized, BRS is determined to uplift the rich, the powerful and the venal.

Congress has a legacy of performance, BRS has a history of huge corruption, colossal failure and broken promises.

Congress is a party of reforms, BRS is a party of scams.

The congress party bought some landmark reforms during its last tenure at the state as well as  the center.  These include ‘Right to Employment’, ‘Food Security Act’, ‘Right to Information Act’, ‘US-India Civil Nuclear Deal’, ‘108 ambulance and health scheme for the poor’, fee reimbursement, farm loan waiver, landmark irrigation projects – the list is long.

Congress party initiated major irrigation projects in the state during its last tenure. These projects will change the fate of millions of farmers in the state, in a few decades, for the better. The party’s commitment to farmers has always ensured that farmers will not have to take recourse to suicides due to failing monsoon or poor crop.

Congress has also battled tooth and nail, the ogre of corruption.  When it was in power from 2004-2014, it allowed its own leaders and allies like DMK to be examined for corruption charges. Moreover, it did not shield the corrupt and let the law take its course and put the accused in jail.  Kanimozhi, Raja, Y.S.Jagan are some glaring examples.

BRS ushered in scams by the dozen. Some notable ones include :

Kaleshwaram Project Scam, Mission Bhagirath Scam, Miyapur Land Scam, Passport Scam, Car Dealership Scam, Palamara Lift Irrigation Scam, Sand Mafia Scam, EAMCET Paper Leakage, My Home Land Scam and Bathukamma Funds Scam.

As a result of BRS’ inefficient and corrupt government the state is suffering from a humongous debt of 4 lakh crore rupees. In fact, corruption begins from the home and hearth of KRS – his daughter Kavitha has been summoned by the ED in the liquor scam.  Congress is committed to the cause of women, the marginalized and the minorities. It  has always    ensured that the dalits, SC and ST along with minorities get plum posts in administration. Even in the neighboring state of Karnataka, it gave the Chief Minister’s post to a backward class leader. The party’s commitment to providing a level field to different sections of society is consistent and continuous.

BRS on the other hand has failed miserably in all the promises it made – whether  making a dalit the Chief Minister, ensuring 12 percent reservation to Muslims, building 2-bedroom houses for the poor, free education or waiver of Crop Loans up to 1 lakh for poor farmers or in reaching out to women. KCR’s first term did not have a single woman as a minister in his cabinet!

While the Congress and its leadership believe in internalizing and spreading a ‘scientific temper’, the present Chief Minister has let superstition take over rationality and logic. He runs the state from his farmhouse instead of the state secretariat. He also demolished the old secretariat and built a new one spending crores despite the acute financial crisis the state is reeling under.  The money, which could be used for a far more worthy and vital cause, has instead been wasted in pampering egos and serving superstition.

The Congress Party has given 6 major promises to the people of Telangana:

–  Under ‘Mahalakshmi’ scheme, women will get 2,500 every month, gas cylinder for Rs 500 and free bus travel.

–  Under Rythu Barosa’ scheme, farmers & lease holders will get Rs 1500 while farm laborers will get Rs 12,000 per year. Bonus of Rs.500 per quintal will be given on paddy.

–  Under ‘Grih Jyothi’ scheme, 200-unit electricity will be provided free.

–  Under ‘Indira Amma Indloo’ scheme, free land and aid of Rs 5 lakh will be given for construction of houses.

–  Under ‘Yuva Vikasam’ scheme, students will be given assistance of Rs5 lakh and also international schools will be opened in every district of Telangana.

–  Senior Citizens will be given pension of Rs 4,000 and provided health insurance up to Rs 10 lakh.

If we just take a look at its track record, the Party is sure to fulfil each and every commitment with sincerity of purpose and an unerring focus.

Now let us take a look at history.  Telangana was granted by Congress Party under the visionary stewardship of Smt.  Sonia Gandhi  against the toughest of odds.  The dreams of crores of people of Telangana came true because of the resolve of the leader and its party to fulfil the promises made in the manifestoes in 2004 and 2009.  Yet another golden example of a party which walks its talk every time. Contrast this with the response of KCR and his party which has legacy of failed promises and pathetic performance.

The choice in the elections is clear. We are confident the people of Telangana will rise to the occasion and using their pragmatism, conviction and wisdom will elect and select the party which stands tall in every word and every deed. I appeal to the lovely people of this great state to vote for Congress – the party which epitomizes equality, transparency and trust. Let us usher in a new era for our state and our country – an era of progress, prosperity, peace and fulfilment.

(The author is General Secretary of IOC)