Slamming the Congress, deputy chief minister of Telangana's caretaker government Mahmood Ali spoke exclusively to MyNation. He is confident the TRS will need no help from parties like AIMIM or even the BJP to retain power in the state.
Telangana's deputy chief minister Mahmood Ali of the caretaker government, who is hoping that his party under the leadership of K Chandrashekhar Rao will come back to power with thumping majority to retain power in the state, predicted that the party will win 90 seats out of 119.
Sharing his thoughts on TRS' rule and the Assembly election to be held on December 7, Mahmood Ali said, "The Telangana Rastra Samiti has got only one opposition and that is Congress. And to corner them in elections, TRS will show the master project including facilities to minorities, who form 12% of Telangana population."
Taking a dig at Congress, while elaborating on how they sabotaged Telangana when it was with Andhra Pradesh, Ali said, "In 2013-2014 when Andhra Pradesh was undivided, the ruling Congress under the then chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, announced a budget of Rs 1.61 lakh crore. Out of that, Rs 45,000 crore that was earmarked for Telangana region is yet to be given."
"In four years, we have made Rs 1.74 lakh crore budget and implemented many schemes. Our Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project that aims to cover over 7.30 lakh hectors covering over 15 plus districts will help us win. Apart from agriculture, 40 lakh families will get drinking water from the project."
As TRS is also known for indulging in minority appeasement, the party does not want to leave any stone unturned, he said. Every promise - from building schools, residential complexes or masjids - all of them are declared in public. TRS does not believe in poll tactics, but is really concerned about minorities, Ali added.
"As the deputy chief minister hailing from the Muslim community, I am concerned about minorities' development. We have the plan to build 200 schools for Muslims. The government has assured to build one lakh residential complexes for the poor and deserving Muslims. If the party is voted to power, they will build masjids in localities where the minorities reside," Ali said.
Criticising Congress's rule, Ali said that the party gave only 50 lakh assistance to Muslim community's development. TRS government has presented Rs 2,000 crore budget for the development of minorities. In that, Rs 600 crore is for Muslim community's development, he added.
Ali refused to comment on the controversial leader from AIMIM Asaduddin Owasi. He said, "AIMIM has got less significance compared to TRS. The party has got only one MP and 7 MLAs. As we are going to come to power with absolute majority, we will not require such leaders' help."
When asked about any alliance with BJP post elections, Ali, said that this kind of atmosphere where people start questioning TRS' stand on BJP is being spread by Congress. "BJP has got only one MP from Secunderabad and they managed to win only four MLA seats from Musheerabad, Amberpet, Kairtabad and Goshamahal. How can they make any difference and where is the necessity for us to associate with the BJP?" Ali questioned.
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