KCR has sought conscience vote for Presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha to boost anti-Modi front

A ray of hope for sustenance of democracy and for a bright and prosperous India emerged 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, while ruthlessly, arrogantly and unethically trying to silence the opposition, and also immorally and illegally toppling the democratically elected state governments when its 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 and MPs was convened to extend support to the presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha.

Reminding the 1969 Presidential election contest between Congress’ 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 urged all MPs and MLAs to once again vote as per their conscience this time irrespective of party affiliations.

KCR argued that 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, as he said “nothing in this country is going on in a rightful manner”. KCR in his hour-long address to the Electoral College members cited a series of examples in support of his appeal for a conscience vote and also as to why there is a need for qualitative changes 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 to sit on protests for over a year. Finally, Modi had to withdraw the farm laws after 700 farmers lost their precious lives. Also, neither the farmers’ income was doubled nor Minimum Support Price (MSP) was increased.

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

KCR detailed 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 are 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 the Modi government has toppled nine Opposition-ruled states.

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 PM. He also labelled that the present crisis in Sri Lanka is the handiwork of Modi and Sri Lankan economy’s collapse hurt India's reputation. KCR hinted at fighting against this. KCR wanted Modi to disclose the inside story of the Sri Lanka crisis.

Criticizing the much-hyped ‘Make in India’ programme, KCR sought a clarification on job creation due to this, as well as industrial growth in the Modi regime. KCR also suggested to Modi to learn lessons from China where the rulers speak less and work more. 

While the country has abundant coal stocks, KCR asked why the Modi government forced Telangana to buy 10 per cent imported coal at a higher price. Charging that Modi is working like a salesman of big traders, 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 businesses in the country.

Asserting that the 130-crore population cannot be a spectator, KCR expressed concerns at black money doubling in the Modi regime, depreciation of rupee to

an all-time low, privatization of

profit-making public-sector undertakings, including LIC. The inference is that the Modi government 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 in extending relief to one and all. Every policy adopted by the Modi government proved disastrous for the country.

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

Asserting that the Modi government killed democracy and weakened federal structure, besides harassing state governments, KCR took serious objection to the statement of a Union minister that Telangana government would be toppled. He said if 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 also categorically mentioned that India is 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 is unnecessarily interfering in elections of other countries as he supported Donald Trump in the US elections; Harassment of states and exploitation of the constitutional bodies continue.

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 the way for a new, honest, peaceful, secular, democratic and progressive government. The first step in this direction is to get Yashwant Sinha elected as the President of the country. Hence, he made an appeal for a conscience vote for Sinha. In this context he made the timely reminder of the Presidential contest between Neelam Sanjeev Reddy and VV Giri, when the conscience vote gave India its President. 

KCR’s address has raised hopes that Modi can be questioned, and his actions can be opposed. 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, PM remained silent in his address in the public meeting held after the BJP national executive committee meeting.