Accepting the challenge of Telanagana IT Minister KT Rama Rao, state Congress chief N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Thursday announced that he and his wife and sitting legislator Padmavathi Reddy would retire from politics if the Congress did not come to power in next elections.
However, he said Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao must also announce that he, along with his son Rama Rao (Minister), daughter K Kavitha (MP) and nephew T Harish Rao (Minister) should retire from politics if Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) loses the elections.
Reddy told reporters that he is unconditionally accepting the challenge posed by Rama Rao. However, he said that the Chief Minister himself should make the announcement of retirement from politics of his entire family if Congress comes to power in Telangana.
He said Rama Rao's challenge only reflected his arrogance and the power of arrogance has turned TRS leaders blind to the extent that they were not willing to see the sufferings of common people.
No section of the society benefitted from the TRS regime during the last four years, and except for four members of just one family, no one gained from the formation of Telangana State, said Reddy.
He was confident the Congress would win more than 70 seats in next elections, irrespective of whether they are held in December or next year.
Uttam also lashed out at KTR for ‘insulting’ the Gandhi family and the Congress, stating that, “Jawaharlal Nehru played a lead role in the country’s independence and shaped the nation after 1947 as country’s first Prime Minister. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi have laid down their lives for the country. Congress president Rahul Gandhi is continuing the legacy and has been serving as member of Lok Sabha for a third term.”
“You (KTR) are a bachcha (child) in politics. What is your status to criticise national leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi?” Uttam asked.
IANS inputs