Hyderabad, Dec.9 (NSS): The State Assembly witnessed intense discussions on the Telangana Thalli (Mother Telangana) statue unveiling, with Ministers and leaders from the ruling and opposition parties expressing their views.
Minister for Legislative Affairs Sridhar Babu defended the design and unveiling of the Telangana Thalli statue, describing it as a reflection of the State’s history and cultural ethos.
Responding to criticism, he accused the BRS party of deliberately avoiding the Assembly session to escape accountability. “We thought they would participate in the discussions, but they chose to stay away,” Sridhar Babu said.
He urged BRS leaders to set aside political differences for a day and participate in the unveiling ceremony.
Minister for Transport and BC Welfare Ponnam Prabhakar highlighted the significance of the Telangana Thalli statue as an official symbol of the State, stating that no such official representation had existed until now.
He criticised the lack of initiative during the past decade to design and unveil a statue that embodies Telangana’s cultural and emotional sentiments. “The new statue aligns with the state’s ethos and will be installed in all government offices moving forward,” Ponnam Prabhakar announced.
Minister for Roads and Buildings Komatireddy Venkat Reddy lauded Sonia Gandhi’s role in granting Telangana statehood, stating, “Without Sonia Gandhi, Telangana would not have been achieved, even in another lifetime.”
He criticised opposition parties for politicising the statue unveiling, noting that “on a day we are honouring Telangana’s cultural symbol, the opposition is engaging in protests instead of extending their good wishes.” Venkat Reddy dismissed claims about the statue’s design, arguing, “Does our mother need a crown or necklace to represent her? The statue is a true reflection of Telangana’s spirit.”
Another Minister Seethakka lambasted the opposition, particularly the BJP and BRS, for using the Telangana Thalli statue unveiling for political gains.
She questioned why no efforts were made in the past decade to officially recognise Telangana Thalli. “They talk of changes to the statue, but where were they when Telangana was being reduced from TG to TS? Today, they raise objections while we work to preserve the true spirit of Telangana,” she said.
Seethakka further criticised past actions, alleging that BRS leaders had previously imposed a statue resembling KTR’s sister as Telangana Thalli. “The current statue truly represents the labour, struggle, and aspirations of Telangana’s people,” she affirmed, adding that Telangana’s children are “not ordinary but resilient and robust”.
