Nizamabad (Telangana) [India] : Noting that it was the “son of Gujarat”, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who got the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad independence from the Nizams, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Telangana on Tuesday, called himself “another son of Gujarat” who had come to the poll-bound state with the promise of prosperity, progress and development.
Addressing a public rally at Nizamabad in Telangana on Tuesday, which saw a massive turnout, Prime Minister Modi said, “The country had achieved independence but this region of Hyderabad was yet to see the light of freedom. The Nizam was creating hurdles to independence. One Gujarati son — Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — showed iron will, grit and the courage of conviction to win you independence from an erstwhile princely state. Today, another son of Gujarat has come to visit you all for your prosperity and development.”
It was Sardar Patel, who as the then Union Home Minister initiated ‘Operation Polo’ to merge the princely state of Hyderabad into the Indian Union.
The Indian Army moved into Hyderabad under ‘Operation Polo’ and, on September 17, 1948, the Nizam announced a ceasefire and Hyderabad was eventually absorbed into the Indian union.
PM Modi, who took out a roadshow in poll-bound Telangana to loud cheers and a petal shower from locals lining both sides of the roads his convoy traversed through, laid the foundation stone for projects worth about Rs 8,000 crores.
“Today, I had the privilege of presenting development projects worth over Rs 8,000 crores to the people of Telangana. These projects include a modern NTPC plant, which will add new momentum to industrial development in the state. The majority of the electricity generated by this NTPC plant will help improve the ease of living of the people here,” PM Modi said.
Invoking the historic passage of ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ in Parliament, he said the Congress and its partners in the ‘Ghamandiya’ alliance sat on the law for the last 30 years.
President Droupadi Murmu signed the Bill, which promises 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures, into law last week.
“My sisters from Telangana were part of a revolution and created history. A few days ago, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed in Parliament. Congress and its INDI alliance — this ‘ghamandiya’ alliance — had stalled this legislation for the last 30 years. However, it was down to the collective power of our women that saw the draft legislation sail through the legislative hurdles in Parliament. Once it was introduced in Parliament, this alliance had no option but to support the Bill,” he added.
Hitting out at the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, led by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, PM Modi said the ruling party has broken all its promises made to the farmers of the state.
“BRS government has broken all their promises made to the farmers of Telangana. Conversely, in the last few years, we transferred around Rs 10,000 crores to the bank accounts of 40 lakh farmers. Under the ‘One District, One Product’ scheme’, the turmeric produced in the Nizamabad district is being promoted globally. Also, in line with our promise to the turmeric farmers, the National Turmeric Board will be formed soon,” he added.