WARANGAL: Setting off the party’s third leg of Praja Chaitanya Yatra, TPCC chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Sunday asked the people to defeat all the MLAs, who won on other party tickets and later defected to the ruling TRS to gain power and money.
Uttam Kumar Reddy on Sunday evening addressed a public meeting as part of the yatra at Meripada in Dornakal constituency, which was represented by Redya Naik, who won on Congress ticket and later switched loyalties to TRS. “Redya Naik has not only betrayed the party, but also the people of Dornakal who voted in favour of Congress. You must punish him by defeating him in next elections,” the TPCC chief said. Similarly, he said all leaders who betrayed the Congress in difficult times must be thrown out of public life in next elections.
Dornakal has been Congress seat since independence and Uttam Kumar Reddy expressed confidence that the party would retain the seat in next elections. “Right from the level of Sarpanch to a minister, Redya Naik grew his political career in Congress. He was always given utmost respect and importance. However, Redya Naik has joined TRS for opportunism and to run sand and drug mafia,’’ the TPCC chief alleged.
TPCC chief accused the TRS government of cheating the tribals.
“Tribals were promised 12 per cent reservation, three acres land, double bedroom houses and other sops. But none of the promises have been fulfilled. STs are entitled to get reservation proportionate to their population. No legal formalities were required to enhance ST quota. However, the TRS Government denied STs an additional three per cent reservation and now Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is blaming the Centre for the same,” he alleged.