The ruling Congress and the main Opposition BRS have announced separate celebrations to mark the Telangana Formation Day on June 2. State government and main political parties are making elaborate arrangements for the decadal celebrations. Government has officially making for a grand public event at the Secunderabad parade grounds. All these events are to mark the ten years of Telangana separate state formation. State was formed on June 2nd in 2014 by Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act 2014.
Revanth Invites Sonia Gandhi:
For the Congress, this would be the first time it would be celebrating the state Formation Day while in power and hence it has decided to pull out all stops. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has personally invited Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi as the chief guest for the celebrations. Sonia Gandhi’s attendance is notable as it marks her first appearance at a state function since the Congress stormed to power in the state.
State Chief Secretary Santi Kumari directed the officials concerned to make elaborate arrangements for the celebrations. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will pay tributes to Telangana martyrs at the Martyrs Memorial at Gun Park and will participate in the program at the Parade Grounds on the day.
Why Sonia Gandhi has been Invited?:
State BJP raises objections and questions why Sonia Gandhi is invited for Telangana government function. In a show of strong disapproval, Union Minister and Telangana BJP President Kishan Reddy questioned the Congress government's decision to invite Sonia Gandhi for the upcoming state formation day celebrations on June 2.
Kishan Reddy highlighted the historical context of Telangana movement, pointing out that in 1969, when Congress was in power, 369 students lost their lives in police firing. He further noted that during the second phase of the Telangana statehood agitation, approximately 1,500 youths sacrificed their lives, with widespread public participation across Telangana in the struggle for a separate state.
Congress says it will invite Sonia Gandhi and felicitate her on the Telangana formation day because she has given the statehood. But Kishan Reddy said that "Sonia Gandhi did not give the statehood. Telangana people fought for a separate state and achieved it. How can Congress invite a political leader for a state government function? If they want to felicitate her they can do it in their party office. We don't have any objection to that," he said.
Govt to Unveil the Telangana Anthem:
Government is planning to unveil the state anthem in a grand public event on formation day. The poem written by well-known lyricist Ande Sri and music is being provided by the Oscar Musician MM Keeravani. A carnival displaying the state’s rich culture through various art forms will be organised on the Tank Bund on the same evening and a band consisting about 5,000 police officers will participate in the carnival. Besides the food stalls by well-known hotels in the city, around 80 stalls will be set up on the Tankbund to sell handicrafts, handlooms and products made by self-help groups in the state.
BRS to Host Grand 3-day Celebrations:
As a main opposition, BRS is planning to hold a three-day event on the occasion from 1st to 3rd June. The party claims credit for the state’s formation through its president K Chandrasekhar Rao’s agitation. He has announced plans to lead a candlelight rally from the martyrs Memorial at Gun Park to the Amara Jyoti opposite the Secretariat in honour of those who sacrificed their lives for the Telangana cause. The main celebrations will be held on June 2nd at Telangana Bhavan and will include flag hoisting and a speech by KCR reflecting on the journey of Telangana and the role of BRS in it. The BRS also planned district-level meetings and service activities like food distribution to the needy on the last day.
