‘India Ready to Welcome Rahul as PM’

1. Says Rahul Gandhi has fearlessly exposed the BJP’s assault on democratic institutions
2. Calls on Congress workers to win every Lok Sabha seat in Telangana

metro india news  I NEREDCHARLA

Senior Congress leader and Telangana Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said on Sunday that the country was ready to welcome Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister. He said growing concern over the weakening of democratic institutions had strengthened the public’s desire for leadership that would defend the Constitution and restore confidence in democracy.

Addressing a public gathering at Neredcharla in Suryapet district, Uttam Kumar Reddy said Rahul Gandhi had spent more than a decade fearlessly exposing what he described as the BJP’s authoritarian and fascistic methods of governance. Despite sustained political attacks, he said, Rahul Gandhi had continued to speak up for the rights of citizens and the independence of democratic institutions.

“Rahul Gandhi has stood firm through years of political attacks and attempts to silence him. He has continued to raise the issues that matter to the people and to defend the values on which our Republic was built. The country is now looking to him to lead India as Prime Minister,” he said.

The Minister said democracy could not be measured by elections alone. It also depended on the independence of institutions, the right of elected representatives to question the government, the freedom of citizens to express dissent and the assurance that every vote would be counted fairly.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said recent questions about electoral rolls and the conduct of elections had deepened public concern. Rahul Gandhi had brought the issue of “Vote Chori” before the nation and demanded accountability, he said. The BJP has rejected the allegations as baseless, while the Election Commission has said its decisions were unanimous.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said that when serious questions were raised about the electoral process, they must be answered with transparency and evidence to protect public confidence. He also referred to the Supreme Court’s recent questions about notices issued during the revision of Delhi’s electoral rolls. The Court sought clarification about the “logical discrepancy” category and questioned whether some notices appeared to have been issued mechanically. 

Uttam Kumar Reddy said the observations reinforced the need for clear procedures and a fair opportunity for every voter to respond. “Every eligible citizen must be able to exercise the right to vote without fear or confusion. The Election Commission must act in a manner that inspires confidence among all parties and the public. Rahul Gandhi has been right to insist that questions about the electoral process cannot simply be brushed aside,” he said.

Uttam Kumar Reddy accused the BJP of increasingly treating criticism as hostility and dissent as disloyalty. Such an approach, he said, weakened democratic debate, undermined institutions and concentrated power. He said the government’s conduct had raised serious concerns about the future of constitutional freedoms and the ability of independent institutions to discharge their responsibilities without pressure.

“The opposition has a constitutional duty to hold the government accountable. Parliament must have meaningful debate, institutions must function independently, and citizens must be free to speak without intimidation. These are not demands of one party; they are the foundations of a healthy democracy,” he said.

The Minister said Rahul Gandhi had taken these concerns directly to people across the country through his public engagements and outreach to students, workers, farmers and families. Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s recent interaction with young people at “Chhatron Ki Goonj” in Indore, he said that listening to students and addressing their concerns about opportunity and the future was an important way to reconnect politics with people’s everyday lives. 

Uttam Kumar Reddy called on Congress workers to strengthen the party at the grassroots and reach every voter. He urged them to remain united, keep public concerns at the centre of their work and prepare to deliver a decisive result in the next parliamentary elections.

“Telangana must take the lead. We should resolve to win every Lok Sabha seat in the State and contribute decisively to making Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister. Our workers must move forward with unity, discipline and renewed determination,” he said. He urged party cadres not to be distracted by provocative statements from political opponents. Instead, they should focus on protecting democratic values, standing with the people and building support for the Congress.

“The country wants a government that respects the Constitution and its institutions, listens to its people and protects every citizen’s right to be heard. Rahul Gandhi has shown courage in raising these questions for more than a decade. India is ready to welcome him as Prime Minister,” Uttam Kumar Reddy said.