Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s planned public meeting in Hyderabad on September 17 is facing hurdles from both the ruling parties in the state and at the center, BRS and BJP respectively. Party leaders are now considering alternative options for the event.
Despite applying in advance, the Parade Grounds and LB Stadium are not available for the meeting. AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, along with Telangana in-charge Manikrao Thakre, PCC chief A Revanth Reddy, and other leaders, visited Gachibowli stadium and the open land at E-City near Tukkuguda on the Outer Ring Road as potential venues.
The PCC chief has accused the ruling BRS party, in collusion with the saffron party (BJP), of trying to sabotage Sonia Gandhi’s meeting. He stated that the meeting will be held in Hyderabad regardless of the hurdles created by the ruling parties. If permission is not granted for Parade Grounds or LB Stadium, the party is prepared to organize the meeting even beyond the Outer Ring Road.
The PCC has passed a resolution supporting the Congress Working Committee meeting in Hyderabad on September 16 and 17. On September 17, a massive public meeting with an expected attendance of 10 lakh people is planned in the city, where Sonia Gandhi will address the crowd.
“We sought permission from the Defence ministry for the Parade Grounds, but both BJP and BRS are conspiring against our plans for the public meeting. The announcement by State BJP chief Kishan Reddy that his party will hold a meeting on the same day clearly reflects their intentions. If necessary, we will hold the meeting beyond the Outer Ring Road,” affirmed the PCC chief.
