A few shouldn’t have farmhouses, says Guv

Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan took a swipe at Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao saying that a few people should not have farmhouses. The Governor hoisted the national flag at the Raj Bhavan here on Thursday on Republic Day. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao did not attend the event. Chief Secretary Santhi Kumar, DGP Anjani Kumar and other officials were present. The Governor, who was upset over the state government confining R-Day celebration to the Raj Bhavan for a second year in a row, indirectly targeted KCR.

She said that she wasn’t given a speech to read out Raj Bhavan initiatives and so she had prepared it herself. “New buildings do not constitute development. Nation building is development. All farmers and marginalized people should get farms and houses. Only a few should not have farmhouses. That is not development,” said Dr Tamilisai.

“Our children should study in universities which have world-class infrastructure. That is development. Sending only my child abroad is not development,” she added.Opposition parties, especially the BJP, have been targeting KCR for his farmhouse and his palatial official residence Pragati Bhavan built a few years ago.

The Governor’s comment came amid her growing rift with the KCR government. On many occasions, she had trained guns on the government for not respecting the office of the Governor while the ruling BRS attacked her for acting like a BJP leader.

During her Republic Day speech, the Governor praised the Modi government for sanctioning National Highways and a Vande Bharat train for Telangana.

The Governor called for protecting the honour of Telangana, and safeguarding democracy. She said that her bond with Telangana goes beyond the three years she spent here as Governor.

Dr Tamilisai said she would continue to play a role in the development of Telangana.

“My strengths are hard work and sincerity. Some people may not like me but I like Telangana and that’s why I will continue to work for Telangana despite all difficulties,” she said.The Governor also referred to what she called stressful conditions in Telangana.

“National statistics show that every day 22 people commit suicide in Telangana. That is approximately one suicide every hour,” she said and appealed to youngsters saying that life is challenging and that we have to face challenges bravely.

The Governor said all institutions of democracy like Constitutional authorities, the elected government, public representatives, public servants and individuals must carry out their duties strictly as the Constitution mandates.

She said the very creation of Telangana was in the true spirit of the Constitution. Article 3 of the Constitution made the creation of Telangana possible as per the aspirations of the people of Telangana after their relentless fight for almost six decades.

She described Telangana as a unique blend of history, heritage and modernity which is known for its unity and diversity and is loved all over the world.

Dr Tamilisai noted that Hyderabad with its unique historical and cultural significance is fast emerging as one of the key symbols of India’s development and progress with a strong presence in science and technology over the past few decades.

“Innovators, entrepreneurs and our IT professionals and institutions need special appreciation,” she added.

Later addressing the press the Governor said, “Telangana undermined Republic Day. They didn’t have any public programme. They wanted me to unfurl the flag at the Raj Bhawan itself. No public participation as they did not follow SOP guidelines from the Central Government.”

“I didn’t expect the Telangana CM to attend the programme because two months back I wrote a letter saying that this time the programme should be conducted grandly with public participation. But they didn’t respond to that letter.

Just two days back they gave a letter saying that it should be conducted at the Raj Bhavan only. In that letter also they didn’t mention that the CM will attend it. But people are watching, in Telangana’s history it will be written that the Constitution was not respected,” she said.

The Governor felicitated noted Telugu music director MM Keeravani whose song from the film ‘RRR’ won the Golden Globe award recently, lyricist Chandra Bose who penned the song, table tennis player Akula Sreeja, M. Bala Latha who trains IAS hopefuls, K. Lokeswari (para-athletics) and the NGO Bhagwan Mahavir Vikalang Sahayata Samiti.