Hyderabad, Nov 11: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday said the Congress is the only party standing up against the BJP, whereas the regional parties often compromise or align with the ruling party at the Centre.
Speaking at an event here on the National Education Day and Minorities Welfare Day, he recalled that Congress ensured four per cent reservation for minorities in the state and had dared Union Home Minister Amit Shah to remove the quota.
"Minorities are tied up with regional parties everywhere, but the Congress alone fights against the BJP," he said.
"... the Congress will never join BJP. The Congress alone will fight against the BJP in the country. Any other political party may join hands with them," he said.
Taking a jab at BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao, he said the 'car' (BRS symbol) transforms into 'lotus' (BJP symbol) in Delhi.
"Rao and his family are kneeling before PM Modi."
The CM cautioned minority voters not to be swayed by KCR's fluent Urdu, calling it a "political ploy".
"Minorities show willingness to support Rao, also known as KCR, as he speaks good Urdu, but it is a ploy," he said.
According to Reddy, the four per cent minorities reservation introduced in undivided Andhra Pradesh during the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy-led Congress regime, under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, enabled several minority youth to become police officers, doctors and engineers.
Referring to Union Minister Amit Shah as a "Tourist", Reddy reiterated that he had challenged the BJP leader to try and remove the quota for minorities.
"One 'Musafir' (tourist) from Delhi had come to Telangana. He went to Chevella and said we will form the government. They announced their decision to remove the four per cent minorities reservation. I told that 'Musafir' that such tourists from Delhi and others come to Telangana and go. We never paid attention to such tourists. There is no one to remove the four per cent reservation. You try. You are in power in India," he said.
Questioning the reservation for minorities in Gujarat, he said he had dared the "tourist" to do away with the minorities quota in the western state.
Claiming that the Centre has stopped scholarships for minority students, he questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi why the scholarships were discontinued.
"Who is the god? Who told you to remove the scholarship for minority children? Can anyone say that? But, Modi, Amit bhai can do such a thing," he said.
He asserted that the Congress would fight for the rights of minorities and the majority.
Slamming KCR without mentioning his name, he said a person had promised 12 per cent reservation for minorities but "ran away" later.
The CM said his government provided incentives to cricketer Mohammed Siraj and boxer Nikhat Zareen by offering them senior-level posts in government.
Acknowledging the hurdles faced by young women from minority communities, he said Nikhat Zareen has been appointed as a DSP for making the country proud with her achievements.
Reddy also said the government is extending the metro rail network to the Old City of Hyderabad and ensuring minority coverage under schemes like Indiramma housing.
He also said the government does not have lands anymore to distribute to the poor but it will ensure access to education.
