Congress’ pre-poll guarantees for Telangana included ‘Karnataka-like’ special monetary incentives for women and ‘Rajasthan-like’ cheaper LPG cylinders, financial assistance for students, the homeless, farmers and the elderly and ‘AAP-inspired’ free electricity. “Financial assistance of Rs 2,500 per month will be given to women in Telangana under the Mahalakshmi scheme. Gas cylinders will be made available at Rs 500. We also promise free travel for women in TSRC buses across the state,” declared Sonia Gandhi at a rally on Sunday night after the meeting.
Rahul Gandhi added: “Indira house scheme of Rs 5 lakh for house construction for the homeless and 250 sq yard houses for those who participated in the struggle for (Telangana) statehood; Griha Jyoti scheme of free 200 units electricity for all; Yuv Vikas Scheme of up to Rs 5 lakh for college coaching assistance; Rs 4,000 per month old age pension and Rs 10 lakh Rajiv Arogya health insurance scheme; and Rs 15,000 per farmer and Rs 12,000 for agricultural labourers.”
Sonia Gandhi said in her address: “I, along with my colleagues, had an opportunity to be part of the birth of this great state, Telangana. Now, it is our duty to elevate Telangana to new heights. It has been my dream that a Congress government in Telangana will work for all sections of society. Are you all going to give us your support?” “Like in Karnataka, I guarantee that when Congress forms a government in Telangana, the first decision will be about implementing these guarantees,” Rahul Gandhi told the crowds. He projected BJP, BRS and AIMIM as friends who work against Congress.
GIVE AND TAKE POLICY
Many members are also learnt to have stressed that seat-sharingtalks among allies should be done on a ‘give-and-take-basis’ and that Congress’ interests should be protected. While CWC members from Delhi and Punjab opposed a tie-up with AAP, many leaders of assembly poll-bound states pointed out that AAP is contesting against Congress, it is learnt. Kharge and Sonia Gandhi are learnt to have assured of proper consultations.
DEO REGRETS COMMENTS
In his address to the extended CWC, Mallikarjun Kharge stressed on the need for leaders to sink their differences. He disapproved of the tendency to make statements against the party line that embarrasses Congress. It is learnt that Chhattisgarh deputy CM TS Singh Deo expressed regret for his recent comments praising the contributions of the PM. Deo told CWC that AICC in-charge Kumari Selja already reprimanded him for his comments and he had apologised to her for that.‘SANATANA’ COMMITMENT
Speakers disapproved of DMK leaders’ comment about ‘Sanatana Dharma’ and stressed on the need for Congress to keep away from the controversy by projecting its commitment/faith to ‘Sarva Dharma Sambhav’.
