Hyderabad, May 21 (UNI) Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy paid floral tributes to the statue of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in front of the Secretariat on Wednesday, marking the 34th anniversary of his death.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, Chief Minister hailed Rajiv Gandhi as a great leader who brought international recognition to India during his tenure as Prime Minister.

He credited Rajiv Gandhi for initiating economic liberalisation that laid the foundation for a stronger economy.

He also lauded his efforts to empower youth by lowering the voting age from 21 to 18, thereby encouraging their participation in democratic governance.

Referring to the recent Pahalgam incident, the Chief Minister drew parallels with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s decisive response to terrorism.

He recalled that Indira Gandhi had sent a strong message to Pakistan that any aggression under the guise of terrorism would be met with firm resistance, emphasising India's self-reliance in safeguarding its sovereignty.

In contrast, the CM criticised the current central government for its weak stance on the Pahalgam incident, suggesting that it has failed to respond effectively.

He remarked that the central government appears to be influenced by international pressure, citing a statement attributed to former US President Donald Trump about a ceasefire being declared by India.

The Chief Minister also took aim at Union Minister Kishan Reddy, accusing him of remaining silent when the state expressed support for the Centre.

He said Kishan Reddy, instead of acting responsibly, is now attempting to deflect attention from his inaction by targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Revanth Reddy condemned the criticism of the recently installed Rajiv Gandhi statue near the Secretariat, calling out those with a narrow mindset who question the legacy of a leader who sacrificed his life for the nation.

He affirmed that the Congress party stands firmly behind India’s armed forces and emphasised that national security should be above politics. He reiterated the party’s commitment to protecting the country’s integrity and ensuring its security.

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President and MLC Mahesh Kumar Goud, Minister Jupalli Krishna Rao, MP Anil Kumar Yadav, MLAs, MLCs, GHMC Mayor and several Congress supporters also paid tributes at the event.

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