Opposition leader in the T-Council Shabbir Ali accepted the gauntlet thrown by Panchayat Raj minister K Tarakaramarao for an open debate on who contributed more to the development of Hyderabad city.
The debate can also be held at Road No. 10, Banjara Hills, where KCR laid foundation stones for construction of Banjara Bhavan, Adivasi Bhavan and Babu Jagjivanram Bhavan last year, Shabbir said. “No development took place at these locations during the last one year,” he added. Shabbir Ali, who was power minister during Congress regime said Congress government had spent over Rs. 1 lakh crore for the development of Greater Hyderabad between 2004 and 2014.
Reacting on the KTR’s challenge yesterday, Shabbir Ali listed out various schemes implemented during 2004-2014 Congress was in power. They are : Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (Rs 2,478 Cr); Nehru Outer Ring Road (Rs 6,696 Cr); PVNR Expressway (Rs 600 Cr); Old City Special Package (Rs 2,000 Cr) and Hyderabad Metro Rail Project (Rs 14,500 Cr). Krishna Phase-I( Rs. 1,000 Cr)( launched in 1994 during the reign of the then Chief Minister Kotla Vijayabhaskar Reddy), Phase-II (Rs. 606.50 Cr) and Phase III (Rs. 1650 Cr) were initiated in 2006 and 2013 respectively. Similarly, Godavari Drinking water scheme for Hyderabad was launched in December 2008 at a cost of Rs. 3,725 crore. “As the then Hyderabad In charge Minister, I laid the foundation stone for several developmental projects. But now KTR is trying to give an impression as if those projects were launched and completed during 18-month rule of TRS,” he ridiculed.
While IT exports grew from Rs. 5,025 Cr in 2003-04 to Rs. 57,000 Cr in 2013-14, IT jobs increased from 85,945 to 323,691 during a decade of Congress rule. As many as 12 Special Economic Zones around Hyderabad are now operational. Similarly, the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) was transformed into Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) on April 16, 2007,
TRS and Demolition Drive
Shabbir Ali said TRS Government began its journey with a negative note by demolishing some structures in Ayyappa Society to terrorise people who hailed from Seemandhra region. “Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and other TRS leaders gave slogans like ‘Jago’ and ‘Bhago’ to terrrorise them. However, in view of GHMC elections, KCR has renewed his friendship with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and both are trying to end differences while eating prawns. What happened to KCR’s promised action against Naidu in ‘Cash for Vote’ case? Where has Telangana’s self-respect gone now?” he asked.
TRS Government has delayed the Hyderabad Metro Rail project by 18 months while objecting to its route. “KCR took a U-turn after causing financial losses of nearly Rs. 2100 crore. His son KTR has described Metro Rail as World Class after enjoying its test run recently. What prompted KCR to first object to the route and then what convinced him to accept that the original design was perfect? Why public money should be spent to entertain KCR or KTR’s lack of wisdom in understanding a project?” he said.
Shabbir Ali also asked KTR to answer whether TRS Government fulfilled a single major promise that was made in the election manifesto. They include restoration of Musi River, cleaning of Hussainsagar, Signal Free City, new airport, shifting of Chanchalguda Jail and Race Course. He said instead of doing introspection on non-implementation of promises made in the manifesto, KTR is wrongly questioning the Congress party. “I’m ready for an open debate. Ideally, the debate should be held in Mahindra Hills where KCR laid the foundation for Christian Bhavan exactly a year ago. We will cut Christmas Cake and begin debate,” he said.
The Congress leader said it was ridiculous on the part of KTR to challenge the Congress party from the dais where Dharampuri Srinivas was seats. “DS had served as PCC President for two terms and if Congress Governments are to be blamed for non-performance, then DS shares the major blame,” he said.
