Liberation or Merger... whatever the "term" is, each party has its own "dimension".
Ahead of crucial assembly elections, finally political heat in Telangana state is all set to go up a few notches on Sept 17, the 75th anniversary of annexation of the princely state of Hyderabad into the Indian Union. BJP, BRS and the Congress are planning huge public events in Hyderabad.
Centre to hold “Liberation Day” Celebs:
Central government to commemorate Telangana Liberation Day with grandeur at the Parade Grounds in Hyderabad on September 17.Union Minister Kishan Reddy expressed his regret that, despite the historical significance of this day, Telangana Liberation Day has not been officially celebrated in Telangana for the past 75 years. However, Kishan Reddy pointed out that successive governments, including the previous Congress government and the current BRS government, have shown little interest in organizing these celebrations. The BJP, he asserted, remains unwavering in its commitment to this cause. He noted that the BJP has been advocating for the official recognition and organization "Liberation" celebrations for the last 25 years. Kishan Reddy also highlighted that Union Home Minister Amit Shah presided over these celebrations in Parade Grounds, Secunderabad.
Last year, as part of the Azadika Amrit Mahotsav, the BJP officially organized Telangana Liberation Day Celebrations under the Central Government's auspices, marking 75th anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel hoisting the Tricolor flag. BJP's idea is that these celebrations are very useful politically. As the assembly elections are nearing, it is expected that the cadre will be infused with good enthusiasm. That is why state BJP president Kishan Reddy is paying special attention. Telangana sentiment also works. Moreover, since there is a public meeting in which Amit Shah is participating, the BJP is also hoping that it will “sound the bell” for the election campaign.
Sonia Gandhi's Public Event:
Telangana Congress to celebrate Sept 17 as “Liberation Day”. PCC Chief Revanth Reddy stresses on Sept 17 event as it was necessary that the sacrifices of people's fight against the Nizam rule should be remembered and the younger generation should be made aware of the heroics of their forefathers. Congress would sound poll bugle in Tukkuguda public meeting on Sept 17. It was named “Vijaya Bheri” Sabha. Sonia Gandhi will kick off campaign by announcing "five guarantees" for assembly elections. Rahul, Priyanka and AICC Chief Mallikarjuna Kharge will also take part in this rally. State Congress is set to witness hectic activity on September 17, the day the erstwhile Hyderabad state merged with the Indian Union in 1948. It already announces that the first meeting of the newly constituted Congress Working Committee will be held in Hyderabad on September 16 & 17. After denied to Parade Ground and LB Stadium, the TPCC team has decided to hold its event in an area of about 100 acres in Tukkuguda on Hyderabad outskirts.
KCR to address National Integration Event:
Ruling BRS would celebrate September 17 as National Integration Day. Party working president and state minister KT Rama Rao asked the party leaders to organize the celebrations in their respective assembly segments. Chief minister K.Chandra Sekhar Rao will address the main event to be held in Public Gardens, Hyderabad. All the ministers will hoist national flag at the programs to be organized by the government in districts.
Minister KTR said on September 17, 1948, Telangana became a part of India. On this day, democracy replaced monarchy. The entire Telangana society made all the efforts to ensure the transformation from an autocratic system to democratic freedom. Stating that September 17 symbolizes national integration, the BRS working president said divisive forces were attempting to distort this occasion for their narrow selfish political interest.
Politics over Sept 17:
Every year in Hyderabad Karnataka and Hyderabad Maratha regions, the respective state governments officially organize Liberation Day events. But is Telangana state, ruling BRS has been maintaining friendly relations with AIMIM Party since the formation of Telangana state. Both the BRS, Majlis are remaining aligned. Union Minister Kishan Reddy criticizes many times that KCR government is not celebrating Hyderabad Liberation Day due to fear of AIMIM. Their ties are further strengthened in view of 2023 polls. Due to this, the ruling BRS is struggling to declare Sept 17 as Liberation Day or Merger Day. Now at the time of elections, K. Chadnrasekhar Rao government prepared to organize official events in the name of National Integration Day.
The CPI has decided to conduct week-long events from September 11-17 to mark the Telangana Peasant Armed Struggle (1946-51) which was spearheaded by the Communists. The CPI says that the struggle forced the Nizam to merge Hyderabad State with the Indian Union.
The Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM would organize a bike rally and public meeting on September 17 which it would celebrate as 'national integration day'.
