KTR targets Rahul Gandhi on caste census, citing tribals

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's promise to remove the 50 per cent cap on caste census and reservation was today challenged by Bharat Rashtra Samithi's KT Rama Rao, who brought several tribal women to Delhi to highlight their plight.

“You (Rahul Gandhi) are speaking on Dalits and tribals, but the women of Telangana are asking you for help but you are not there. What is the use of this posturing?” He said in an exclusive interview given to NewBharat TV.

Earlier in a press conference, he said, “An hour ago, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was speaking in Ranchi. We want him to listen to the oppressed tribal women of Telangana.”

“The women complain that their lands are being taken away, and they don't know where their sons and husbands are… There have been gross violations of human rights. These women have met NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) officials And have put forward my point of view,” said the BRS working president, who has been vocal about the “misgovernance” of the Congress since the grand old party ousted BRS from power in the state elections earlier this year.

The Congress and BRS have accused each other of complicity in the violence in Lagacharla village, where government officials were attacked when they had gone to discuss land acquisition with villagers. The Congress said the violence was “KTR's plan to destabilize the government”, pointing to “fraudulent” takeovers during the BRS rule.

“You acquired land to build a pharma village. But the people of the land did not want to give it. And now there is this violent attack on them. They are being tortured. Is this democracy?” said Mr. Rao, who was a minister in the government led by his father K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

“The CM's brother – he has no post – openly threatens the tribals. But he marches with goons, while the police has acted as the Chief Minister's personal army. And towards the national capital and Rahul Gandhi There is complete silence. Women and children are being tortured but complete silence,” Mr Rao, popularly known as KTR, said.