HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy criticized the Modi government for allegedly acting with impunity and harboring animosity towards the poor. His remarks came during a program held at Gandhi Bhavan as part of a nationwide protest organized by the Congress party against proposed changes to the National Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).
Reddy likened the current governance under Modi to that of British rule, suggesting that the NDA coalition’s failure to secure a majority has led them to undermine constitutional rights in various forms. He accused the government of conspiring to strip citizens of their voting rights by introducing the Social Impact Assessment Report (SIAR), asserting that this move is part of a broader agenda to portray millions of impoverished individuals as non-citizens.
He further warned that the Constitution itself is under threat and that democracy is at risk. The NREGS, which has gained global recognition, was introduced by Congress to ensure food security for landless poor. Reddy emphasized that the scheme has brought about revolutionary changes in rural areas, effectively halting migration and providing employment for a significant portion of the population, with 80 percent of citizens relying on it for their livelihoods.
Despite its success, Reddy claimed that the Modi government is attempting to undermine the scheme by altering its provisions, which he views as a direct act of revenge against the poor. He suggested that the changes are being made to benefit corporate giants like Adani and Ambani, who are reportedly struggling to find labor at lower costs.
Highlighting past controversies, Reddy reminded the audience of the agricultural laws that were introduced and later repealed, stating that Congress has previously compelled Modi to apologize to the nation. He vowed that the party would continue to demand accountability until Modi offers an apology once again.
In a show of unity, Reddy announced that the Assembly had passed a unanimous resolution against changes to the employment guarantee law. He called for village meetings to be held starting from the 20th of this month, encouraging ministers, MLAs, and MLCs to take responsibility for various mandals. He stated that from February 3, meetings would be organized across all districts with the aim of gathering one hundred thousand participants daily.
Reddy asserted that the fight against the Modi government would persist until the NREGS is restored to its original form. He claimed that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has been consistently defeated in elections, and he expressed confidence that Congress would also prevail in upcoming municipal elections. He concluded by stating that the political agendas of TRS and BJP seem detached from the pressing issues faced by the public, emphasizing that instead of a ‘Developed India,’ the current government is creating a ‘Crisis India.’
