Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief spokesperson Dr Dasoju Sravan on Tuesday alleged that the TRS Government was ‘wasting’ over Rs 50 crore of taxpayer money to boost the image of Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, under the guise of the World Telugu Conference (WTC).
Addressing a press conference at the party’s headquarters, Gandhi Bhavan, Sravan questioned KCR's change of stand towards 'Telugu Talli' (Mother Telugu).
“During the Telangana statehood movement, KCR had ridiculed ‘Telugu Talli’ and even proposed demolition of its statues in Telangana. KCR openly insulted her on multiple occasions and had claimed she had nothing to do with Telangana. He had asked why 'Telugu Talli' was not getting tears in her eyes when no water was being released to Telangana from Nagarjuna Sagar's left canal and why she was silent over suicide of 3,000 people for statehood cause,” Sravan said.
Sravan said that KCR should explain as to what made him change his views on the matter, and pointed out that the same TRS leaders had objected to the conduction of World Telugu Conference in 2012.
“Is it not the hypocrisy of KCR?” he asked.
The Congress also argued that the WTC had nothing to do with the promotion of Telugu language, but the TRS Government was focused on event management, to impress others.
“After KCR took over as Chief Minister, over 4,000 farmers committed suicide while several jobless youth ended their lives. Even those who actively participated in the statehood movement did not get any benefit from the new state. In this scenario, holding an event in the name of Telugu language is highly condemnable. 'Telugu Talli' would be pained at the conditions prevailing in Telangana State,” Sravan said.
The Congress also strongly criticised KCR for ignoring eminent poets and writers of Telangana who played a key role in statehood movement, pointing out that poets and writers including Gadar, Vimallakka, Jaya Bheem, Tirumal Rao, Goreti Venkanna, Andeshri and others were not even invited for the event.
It also said that the entire event was aimed at boosting the personal image of KCR for political reasons.
The Telangana state government is all set to host the prestigious World Telugu Conference-2017 (WTC) in Hyderabad from December 15 to 19.
As part of the conference, poets’ gatherings (Kavi Sammelanas) and conferences on various genres of literature would be organised, officials said.