Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's promises on caste census and abolition of 50 percent reservation limit were today challenged by KT Rama Rao of Bharat Rashtra Samithi, who had brought a number of tribal women to Delhi to address their plight to draw attention.
“You (Rahul Gandhi) talk about Dalits and tribals, but the women of Telangana are looking for your help, but you are not there. What use is this lip service?' he said in an exclusive interview with NDTV.
At a press conference earlier, he said, “An hour ago, LoP Rahul Gandhi spoke in Ranchi. We want him to listen to the tribal women of Telangana who have suffered.”
“The women complain that their land is being taken, and they don't know where their sons and husbands are… There have been horrific human rights violations. These women met NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) officials and submitted their statements. plea,” added the BRS working chairman, who railed against the “misrule” of the Congress since the Grand Old Party dethroned the BRS in the state elections held earlier this year.
The Congress and the BRS have accused each other of complicity in the violence in Lagacharla village, where government officials were attacked when they went to discuss land acquisition with the villagers. The Congress said the violence was “KTR's plan to destabilize the government”, pointing to what they called “fraudulent” takeovers during the BRS rule.
“You acquired land to build a pharma village. But the people of the country did not want to give it. And now this is the violent attack on them. They are tortured. Is this democracy?' said Mr. Rao, who was a minister in the government led by his father, K Chandrashekar Rao.
“The CM's brother – he does not hold any position – is openly threatening tribals. But he marches in with goons while the police act as the Prime Minister's private army. And there is absolute silence from the national capital and Rahul Gandhi Women and children are being tortured, but complete silence,” Mr. Rao, popularly known as KTR, added.
