In a district in which almost 32 per cent of the population comprises tribal people, union home minister Amit Shah highlighted what the BJP government has done for the welfare of the community. Shah was in Adilabad district of Telangana on Tuesday as part of a public meeting called Jana Garjana Sabha. His visit is the first in a series of campaigns by union ministers in Telangana planned after the assembly poll schedule was announced on Monday.
Shah began his speech by paying tributes to Komaram Bheem, a revered Gond leader who fought against the Nizams. “When I used to visit this region and hear stories about Komaram Bheem, I used to get goosebumps. Before I start my speech, I pay heartfelt tributes to the warrior. Telangana fought for freedom twice—once against the British and then Nizams. I salute this brave land,” Shah said.
He added that on December 3, the Bharatiya Janata Party is going to form the government and September 17 will be celebrated as Hyderabad Liberation Day all over the state.
He pointed out that in his recent visit to the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Mulugu district (Samakka and Sarakka are tribal goddesses). “In the last 10 years, chief minister KCR has not worked for the poor, farmers, Dalits, or Adivasis. He only worked towards making his son the CM. Our aim is to give jobs and education to tribal youths. Since 2014, Modi wanted to lay the foundation of this university, but KCR was not allotting land. But finally, that dream is being realised. It will educate tribal children along with their customs.”
“Modi built toilets in every poor household, gave every woman a gas cylinder, put Rs 6,000 in every farmer’s account. As a mark of respect for the tribal community, Modi made a tribal woman the president of the country,” the union minister said.
Hitting out at the Congress party, the senior BJP leader said: “Around every election, these Congress leaders come wearing new clothes. In 2013-14 when they were in power, the budget for Adivasi welfare was only Rs 24,000 crore. In 2023, Modi has hiked it to 1,24,000 crore. Telangana needs a double engine sarkar now.” The union minister pointed out that Janjatiya Gaurav Divas was started by the Modi government to commemorate tribal freedom fighters.
He also reminded people that the National Turmeric Board is coming up in Telangana and that the union cabinet has approved terms of reference to the Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal-II.
He stated that while PM Modi has been steadfast in protecting the country from terrorists, KCR cannot protect Telangana from modern-day Razakars. “KCR has made the state number 1 in farmer suicides, crimes against women and children, and corrupt practices. The government dances to the tune of MIM. Choose a government that does not work for its own family, but for farmers and Adivasis,” Shah appealed to the people present there.
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