Sonia Gandhi helped create Telangana, says Rahul; KCR’s party says ‘Your family…’

Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that it was his mother and former Congress president Sonia Gandhi who helped in the creation of the state of Telangana.

“Had Sonia Gandhi not helped, then a separate Telangana would not have been formed,” the Congress scion said as he addressed rallies in poll-bound Telangana.

“Sonia ji helped you in creating Telangana state and I can also say that had Sonia Gandhi not helped, then a separate Telangana would not have been formed. But, Sonia Gandhi ji did not want Dorala (feudal lords) Telangana, but Prajala (people’s) Telangana,” Rahul Gandhi said on Friday.

The remark drew a sharp reaction from the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi. Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, K Kavitha said, “Your family has full contribution in ruining Telangana.”

“…I totally agree with him (Rahul Gandhi) that he has family ties with Telangana. It was Jawaharlal Nehru who forcefully merged us into Andhra Pradesh and killed our aspirations. Then in 1969, when we demanded a separate state, it was Indira Gandhi who killed 369 of our youth in firing…It was Rajiv Gandhi who insulted our Chief Minister who was from the OBC community,” K Kavitha said.

She added, “In the last 10 years, Rahul Gandhi never spoke in support of Telangana. He never stood with us. Yes, your family has full contribution in ruining Telangana…the people of Telangana will definitely show this to you in the elections.”

RAHUL GANDHI IN TELANGANA

Rahul Gandhi said the fight was between the Congress and the BRS in the upcoming Telangana Assembly election.

“BJP leaders used to swagger around here like Bollywood heroes. They did not even realise that four wheels of their vehicle had come off. Today, BJP leaders are queuing up to join the Congress. We do not want them,” he said.

Making poll promises, Rahul Gandhi said that if the Congress is voted to power, it will ensure that farmers get Rs 500 more than the MSP for every crop, will ensure support prices for turmeric farmers, and will revive sugar factories. He also promised a caste census in India if the Congress is voted to power.