Telangana statehood day: BRS celebrates ’60 yrs of struggle’, asks PM Modi to match another state to it; Cong underlines its role

KCR’s son and Telangana minister K T Rama Rao listed out the state’s achievements, while tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, challenging him to name another such “accomplished state”.

The state government courted controversy by not inviting Governor Tamilisai Soundarajan, with whom it has a prickly relationship, for the Telangana State Formation Day celebration on Friday. Asked about it, she told the media: “People of the state are with me.”

The Congress, whose central government cleared separate statehood, made it a point to underline the fact. While both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra greeted the people of the state on the occasion, the Congress’s official handle posted about “the UPA government’s role in carving out the new state, under the leadership of Smt. Sonia Gandhi, who took the decision keeping in mind the aspirations and dreams of the people of Telangana”.

Renuka Chowdhury, a former MP from Khammam in Telangana, also recalled Sonia Gandhi’s role, while posting a photo of the two of them together at a dance.

With the BJP seeking to displace the Congress as the main opposition in Telangana — the Congress never reaped any dividends from clearing the formation of the state — one of the leaders who marked the day prominently was Union Minister for Tourism G Kishan Reddy, who belongs to Telangana. He hoisted the national flag to mark the occasion.

President Droupadi Murmu lauded the state for its innovation and entrepreneurship. “Endowed with forests and wildlife, Telangana is also uniquely blessed with a rich cultural heritage and talented people. This beautiful state is emerging as a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship,” she tweeted.

In his tweet, PM Modi expressed admiration for the “skills of its (Telangana’s) people and the richness of its culture”.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, “The people of Telangana are known for their resilience and have shaped the state’s rich history and culture. May this auspicious day bless the state with even more strength to emerge even more prosperous.”

Rahul Gandhi also noted the “resilient spirit” of Telangana’s people. “Congress is committed to build a glorious Telangana, a model state that will bring prosperity to its farmers, youth & women,” read his tweet.

Vadra remembered the “martrys who gave their lives” for statehood of Telangana, said they had done so for “a future for Telangana that places its youth first”.

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