Hyderabad recently hosted a significant event as Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy inaugurated the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Yatra Commemoration at Charminar. During the ceremony, he passionately recalled former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s unwavering dedication to national integrity and fostering communal harmony across India.
The esteemed gathering included prominent figures such as Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Mahesh Kumar Goud, who hoisted the party flag, alongside ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Uttam Kumar Reddy, former MP V. Hanumantha Rao, government advisor Mohd. Ali Shabbir, and other senior Congress leaders, including the honored former Union Minister Salman Khurshid.
A highlight of the event was Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s presentation of the prestigious “Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award” to Salman Khurshid. This accolade recognized Khurshid’s extensive and valuable contributions to championing harmony and national unity throughout his distinguished career.
Addressing the attendees, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy underscored the enduring relevance of Rajiv Gandhi’s Sadbhavana Yatra, emphasizing its core mission to safeguard the nation’s unity and integrity. He expressed his sincere congratulations to the organizers for selecting Salman Khurshid for this meaningful award, acknowledging his dedication to these vital ideals.
Mr. Revanth Reddy also paid tribute to the Gandhi family’s profound sacrifices for the nation, stating, “The name Gandhi has become intrinsically linked with India’s identity. From the ‘Iron Lady,’ Indira Gandhi, who gave her life for the nation’s integrity, to Rajiv Gandhi who followed in her footsteps, three generations of this family have dedicated their lives for the country.”
He further highlighted Salman Khurshid’s deep-rooted connection with the Gandhi family, noting that his family’s association and contributions to the Congress leadership span several decades. “It fills us with pride to see Salman Khurshid receive the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award,” the Chief Minister affirmed.
Reflecting on Rajiv Gandhi’s transformative legacy, the Chief Minister reminded the audience of his pivotal role in empowering India’s youth by reducing the voting age to 18. He also championed the concept of a constitutional amendment to enable individuals as young as 21 to contest elections for legislative assemblies, showcasing Rajiv Gandhi’s forward-thinking vision.
Drawing a contemporary parallel, Mr. Revanth observed that Rahul Gandhi’s recent Bharat Jodo Yatra resonates deeply with the foundational principles of unity and peace that Rajiv Gandhi passionately upheld.
Shifting focus to current state politics, the Chief Minister leveled strong accusations against the BRS, branding it as the “B-Team” of the BJP. He alleged a covert alliance between the two parties during the previous parliamentary elections, suggesting that 21 percent of BRS votes inadvertently aided the BJP. Furthermore, he claimed that both parties are currently devising similar strategies for the upcoming Jubilee Hills by-election, aiming to fragment the opposition’s vote.
Concluding his address, Mr. Revanth Reddy urged the citizens of Telangana to “recognize and reject these calculated conspiracies,” emphasizing the critical need for collective unity to safeguard the democratic essence of the State.