Former BRS Minister K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) made significant remarks recently, stating that if their party returns to power, they will remove the statue of Rajiv Gandhi that the Congress plans to install at the site in front of the Secretariat, originally intended for the Telangana Thalli (Mother Telangana) statue. KTR asserted that they would place the Telangana Thalli statue at that location instead. He also mentioned plans to rename the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad. KTR criticized the Congress for what he described as an obsession with naming landmarks after Rajiv and Indira Gandhi.
KTR suggested that if Congress leader Revanth Reddy is particularly fond of Rajiv Gandhi, he should install a statue of him in his own home. He accused Reddy of installing the Rajiv Gandhi statue in front of the Secretariat merely to appease Rahul Gandhi.
He further accused the Congress party of once again undermining Telangana’s self-respect by replacing the Telangana Thalli statue, which symbolizes the sacrifices of Telangana’s people, with a statue of Rajiv Gandhi. He reiterated that their struggle is one of identity and self-respect. KTR expressed confidence that the BRS government would return to power in Telangana in the next four years under the leadership of KCR. He assured that the Rajiv Gandhi statue would be respectfully removed and relocated to a site chosen by the Congress.
KTR stated that Telangana will not forget the insult Congress has caused to Telangana Thalli. He indicated that, like in other states, they would name the international airport after a prominent figure from Telangana. He urged the Congress to reconsider its approach, noting that there are already numerous statues of Rajiv and Indira Gandhi. KTR concluded by stating that, as a true son of Telangana, they would take steps to rectify these issues, unlike those who serve the interests of Delhi.