Hyderabad: Irrigation and civil supplies minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Sunday said candidates for the ensuing municipal elections will be finalised based on surveys, loyalty to the party, commitment to serve the people, integrity, and discipline.Addressing a meeting of party leaders and workers from urban local bodies (ULBs) located in the Nizamabad parliamentary constituency, he said those who do not get tickets to contest the municipal elections, but work hard for the victory of Congress’ finalised candidates, will be given appropriate posts in the party or the govt. “Your hard work will be recognised. The Congress flag should fly high, celebrating the victory in every municipality and municipal corporation. The party will stand by everyone who works hard,” he said.
Uttam has been appointed as the in charge of all ULBs that fall under the Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency. He, along with Telangana Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, held a preparatory meeting with leaders and cadres on Sunday in Nizamabad town.‘No alliance with MIM’Goud said no alliance has been struck with the AIMIM so far, and called upon party cadres and voters not to fall prey to what he described as propaganda and lies of the BJP. He cautioned against rushing for party tickets, stating that these will not be given through inducements. He also advised them against giving money to anyone. “Candidates will be selected based on surveys,” he said. In an indirect dig at the BJP, Goud said Congress will not sit quiet if anyone tries to disrupt people’s lives in the name of caste and religion.Meanwhile, Uttam said the Congress came to power in Telangana because of the party cadres’ hard work and people’s blessings. He said the party will come to power again because of its hard-working and committed workforce, and the people’s trust in the Congress govt, which is implementing numerous welfare schemes. He called upon party workers to go to people’s doorstep, and explain to them about the govt’s welfare schemes and development programmes. “Tell the people that the govt is laying special focus on the development of urban areas. More funds will be sanctioned for development in urban areas,” he added.Fine rice, electricity for poorUttam said the credit of providing high-quality fine rice for free to eligible poor for the first time in the country goes to the Congress govt in Telangana. He said that in the past, coarse rice was distributed through the public distribution system, and ration cardholders did not consume it, but sold it instead. He said the decision to provide fine rice free of cost to 85% of the people in the state at a cost of 13,600 crore was taken by the Congress govt.He also said the govt is providing 200 units of electricity for free to eligible poor, a gas cylinder at 500, and free bus travel to women. He said lakhs of new ration cards have been issued and lakhs of new names have been added to existing ration cards.
