Hyderabad, February 15 – Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said on Sunday that his remark, "Nene Raju, Nene Mantri" (I am the king, I am the minister), had been misinterpreted.
He clarified that he had only stated that as the Chief Minister and the Minister of Municipal Administration, he was responsible for the results of the municipal elections.
The Chief Minister had made the remark on Friday during an interaction with the media in New Delhi. He had stated that there was no competition for the Chief Minister's post either in state politics or within the Congress.
Addressing the Sant Sevalal Jayanti celebrations at Banjara Bhavan in Hyderabad on Sunday, the Chief Minister clarified that his remark was in the context of municipal elections.
Stating that he does not see himself as a ruler, Revanth Reddy claimed that his intention is to serve the people.
He said that the Congress party had achieved 85 to 90 per cent results in the municipal elections.
He remarked that he is not the one to become arrogant in victory or lose heart in defeat. He said that he would continue to work for the poor.
"Some people think that they are born to rule," he said while targeting the leaders of opposition parties.
Paying rich tributes to Sant Sevalal, the Chief Minister said he stood as a guide for the 15 crore Lambada community in the country.
Stating that the Lambada community played a key role in the Telangana movement, he said that the Congress government has taken the responsibility to officially celebrate Sevalal Jayanti.
He said that tribal communities, along with Dalits, should get priority and due respect.
Revanth Reddy claimed that in his 20-year political career, the Lambada community has always supported him.
He announced that he was issuing orders to lay bitumen tar roads for all the Thandas (tribal hamlets) in the state. He said that proper road facilities should be provided to those living in the Thandas.
He called for building a government school and Gram Panchayat building in every Thanda.
He said that the government was planning to provide electricity to tribal hamlets through solar plants.
He said that it was former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who gave reservation to tribals and allotted them lands.
Stating that the government now does not have any land to give, he said that it was working for the welfare of tribals. "The government is ready to provide quality education. Tribal students should study hard," he said.
He listed out the steps taken by the government for the welfare of the weaker sections of the people.
He claimed that he wants to make people of the backward sections of the society partners in governance.
He pointed out that though the population of Scheduled Castes is 15 per cent, the government has given them 30 per cent posts.
He said that the SC community has been given posts of four ministers and Assembly Speaker.