Congress Intensifies Efforts to Woo Voters Ahead of Telangana Assembly Elections
Hyderabad, Aug 27 – As the Telangana Assembly elections loom just three months away, the opposition Congress party has stepped up its campaign by making promises to various voter groups. After announcing a series of commitments to farmers, youth, and beneficiaries of social security pensions, the party has now revealed its plans for the welfare of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) if they come to power.
The Congress party is pledging more financial support to these sections compared to what they currently receive under welfare schemes implemented by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government.
The SC, ST Declaration unveiled by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in Chevella on Saturday outlines the party’s efforts to gain voter support.
While the BRS government introduced a financial grant of Rs 10 lakh for each SC family under the Dalit Bandhu scheme, the Congress is promising Rs 12 lakh under the Ambedkar Abhaya Hastham scheme per SC, ST family over five years, starting in 2023-24.
The Congress is also pledging reservations for SCs and STs in private educational institutions and in jobs within private companies receiving government incentives.
The party has committed to increasing reservations for SCs to 18 percent and providing house sites and Rs 6 lakh for house construction to every homeless SC and ST family under the Indiramma Pucca housing scheme.
Alleging that lands assigned to SCs and STs in the past were taken over by the BRS government, the Congress party has vowed to restore these lands to the original assignees, along with all associated rights. They also plan to implement the Recognition of Forest Rights (RoFR) Act to provide land titles for podu lands to eligible beneficiaries.
Additionally, the Congress intends to launch the Sammakka Sarakka Girijana Graminabhivrudhi Pathakam (SGGP), which will provide an annual grant of Rs 25 lakh to each Tanda and Gudem Gram Panchayat.
The party had previously announced pledges for farmers, youth, and the unemployed. These declarations include measures such as loan waivers, direct benefits to farmers, and employment opportunities.
The Congress party is currently working on similar announcements for backward classes, women, and minorities, with plans to unveil its manifesto next month. The Telangana Assembly elections, involving 119 seats, are scheduled for November-December.
