Congress Stages Protest Against Budget Allocations to Telangana
The Telangana State Congress held a protest on Sunday, raising concerns about what they called “injustice” to the state in the Union Budget allocations. The dharna, led by PCC president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud, took place near the Ambedkar statue on Tank Bund. Several party leaders, including ministers, participated in the demonstration.
During the protest, Congress leaders accused the Central Government of neglecting Telangana in the Union Budget. Ministers such as Ponnam Prabhakar and Seethakka, along with other key figures like State Planning Board vice chairman G. Chinna Reddy and Government Advisor Mohammed Ali Shabbir, highlighted that the state had been denied its rightful share of funds. They argued that despite efforts to engage with the Centre, the state’s needs had been repeatedly overlooked.
PCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud criticized the Central Government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for undermining federal principles. He pointed out that Telangana contributes significantly to the nation’s economy, with a 5% share in GDP, yet receives unfair treatment in budget allocations. Goud stated that the Centre had ignored multiple requests for financial assistance for Telangana’s development projects.
Calling for action, Goud urged all political parties in Telangana to unite and pressure the Central Government to ensure fair funding for the state. He specifically called on the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to join forces in this fight against what he called unjust treatment by the Union Government.
AICC member and in-charge of Sanathnagar Assembly Constituency Kota Neelima also criticized the BJP-led Central Government for neglecting Telangana. She demanded that Union Minister and BJP MP Kishan Reddy resign for failing to secure funds for the state. “If he cannot fight for Telangana’s rightful share, he has no moral right to represent the state. He must either resign or not return to Hyderabad,” Neelima said.
The protest highlighted growing discontent within the Telangana Congress over the state’s financial treatment by the Union Government, calling for stronger collective action to address the issue.
