KCR for Conscience vote in Prez election : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao and VJM Divakar

 KCR for Conscience vote in Prez election

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao and VJM Divakar

The Pioneer (06-07-2022)

A ray of hope for sustenance of democracy and for a bright and prosperous India was crystal clear when Telangana Chief Minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) President K Chandrashekhar Rao attacked the union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He pointed out how for the past eight years it has been bulldozing every institution, basic rights of democracy, the secular fabric of the nation, ruthlessly, arrogantly and unethically trying to silence the opposition, immorally and illegally toppling the democratically elected state governments, inability to face the aggression of the external enemies and becoming an agent of a few crony capitalists and so on. The platform was Hyderabad Jalavihar where a meeting of TRS MLAs, MPs was convened to extend support to the Presidential Candidate Yashwant Sinha.

Reminding the 1969 Presidential Election contest between Congress Party official candidate Neelam Sanjiva Reddy and the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi supported independent candidate VV Giri, when an appeal was made to the electoral college members to vote as per their conscience, KCR had urged all MPs and MLAs to once again vote as per their conscience this time also irrespective of party affiliations.

The reason KCR mentioned was Yashwant Sinha would be a better choice when compared to NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu, in view of his ability to bring a qualitative change in politics. And thus, KCR had every reason to make an appeal for a conscience vote in favor of Yashwant Sinha which to put in his own words, nothing in this country is going on a rightful manner. KCR in his hour-long address to the electoral college members, cited series of examples in support to his appeal for a conscience vote and also as to why there is a need for qualitative change and why there is a need for electing Yashwant Sinha to the highest office.

Though PM Modi made tall promises soon after assuming office, pointed out KCR, he failed to fulfill even a single promise. In addition, he enacted three draconian farm laws forcing the peasant community fight against. Finally, Modi had to withdraw the farm laws after 700 farmers lost their precious lives. This apart neither the farmers’ income was doubled nor MSP was extended.

KCR was sarcastic when he said that PM Modi thinks he is invincible though the 14 Prime Ministers who preceded him never thought so. He is also under the false imagination that he would be the PM of India permanently despite the fact that political change in a democracy is imminent in the county.

KCR went on describing how under PM Modi, the country’s image all over the world lowered; how farmers, unemployed and employees have been facing problems; how price rise and inflation is uncontrolled; how the union government is abusing the constitutional institutions; how opposition parties are harassed and targeted etc. This according to KCR is nothing but murder of democracy.

Touching upon the aspect of how the BJP rulers are conspiring to destabilize the state Governments, KCR said Modi government has toppled 9 state governments in the country and the country is facing the consequences.

Taking serious objection to Modi’s exerting pressure on Sri Lankan government to allot contract works to his favored persons which was openly confessed by a Sri Lanka Electricity Board official, KCR demanded a clarification from Modi. He also labelled that the present Crisis in Sri Lanka is the handiwork of Modi and Sri Lanka economy collapsed and India's reputation downgraded due to Modi's role in Sri Lanka crisis. KCR hinted at fighting against this. KCR wanted Modi to disclose the inside story of Sri Lanka crisis.

Criticizing the much-hyped Make in India program of Modi KCR demanded for a clarification on job creation due to this as well as industrial growth in Modi regime. In this context KCR suggested to Modi to learn lessons from China where the rulers speak less and work more.  

While the country has abundant coal stocks where is the need to import questioned KCR and said that he did not understand the logic behind Modi government forcing Telangana to buy 10 per cent imported coal at a higher price. Criticizing Modi that he is working like a salesman of big traders in the country KCR said that he should explain why the BJP government is promoting Coal imports. KCR sought an explanation from Modi as to why many major international companies like Fiat, Ford, GM motors, Datsun, United Motors, Harley Davidson stopped their business in the country.

Asserting that the 130-crore population cannot afford to play a spectator role KCR raised the problem of black money being doubled in Modi regime, declining of rupee value to an all-time low, privatization of profit-making public-sector undertakings including LIC. The inference is that Modi government did not succeed in any sector but played a major role in the decline of all sectors. 

Referring to the period of corona crisis, KCR said that while the holy Ganga River was flooded with Corpses, while the Modi government failed to provide any succor to the migrant labor, it was Telangana government that did its best of the relief to one and all.  The inference is that every policy adopted by Modi government proved disaster for the country.

With statistical data KCR explained how under Modi regime rankings in many sectors at the international level had fallen, be it Human Development Index, be it Human Rights, be it provision of employment, be it happiness index, be it environment index etc. It all shows the poor performance of Modi government for the last 8 years.

Pointing out how Modi Government has killed democracy and weakened federal structure and state governments were harassed, KCR took serious objection to the statement of a union minister that Telangana Government would be toppled. He said if the Modi's dictatorial rule dethrones Telangana government, his party would unseat the BJP government at the center hinting that Telangana is ready for another big fight.

Among others KCR categorically mentioned about: India being insulted on international platforms due to Modi's decisions and policies; India's Father of the nation is insulted repeatedly by the Modi's men; Modi unnecessarily interfering in other countries elections when he supported Donald Trump in the US elections; Harassment of states and exploitation of the constitutional bodies and so on.

In his concluding remarks KCR said that, it is time for people in the country to wage another non-violent movement to dislodge the BJP led government at the center and pave way for a new, honest, peaceful, secular, democratic and progressive government at the Centre. The first step in this direction is getting Yashwant Sinha elected as the president of the country. Hence the appeal for conscience vote for Sinha.

KCR’s address has raised hopes that Modi can be questioned, his actions can be opposed and can and should stand by the people. KCR’s speech may well be the first step in the direction to restore the country back to its glorious past. It also is the beginning to lay a strong foundation for the country to once again stand tall with true democratic and secular values and become once again an economic power in Asia.

Though KCR demanded replies from PM Modi to the points he raised, Modi preferred to be silent in his address in the public meeting held after the BJP executive committee meeting and did not reply to any of the issues raised by KCR.