Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said the Congress was the only political party capable of taking on the BJP at the national level and alleged that the BRS was aligned with the saffron party in New Delhi.
Speaking at the National Education Day and Minority Welfare Day celebrations event in Hyderabad, the Chief Minister said the Congress had the political strength to confront the BJP. Taking a dig at the BRS, he said its car symbol would turn into the BJP's lotus symbol once it reached Delhi.
Revanth Reddy accused the BJP of attempting to abolish reservations for minorities in education and employment, besides scholarships. He said the Congress government had provided four per cent reservation for minorities.
Referring to the BJP's announcement at a public meeting in Chevella that it would abolish minority reservations, he said the Congress had challenged the party to first remove such reservations in Gujarat.
The Chief Minister said the Congress had empowered the poor and minorities by ensuring their voting rights, while alleging that the BJP was attempting to disenfranchise them.
Stating that minority welfare was among the government's top priorities, Revanth Reddy said Metro Rail works were being expedited in the Old City, which he described as the Original City. He said the Musi rejuvenation project would help restore the Old City's past glory and stressed the importance of developing a night-time economy along the river.
Recalling the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to the establishment of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the country, the Chief Minister said the state government had upgraded ITIs into Advanced Training Centres (ATCs) to improve skills and employment opportunities.
He said artificial intelligence (AI) was affecting employment opportunities in software engineering and emphasised the need to create more blue-collar jobs. The government was focusing on skill development to prepare young people for jobs that could not be performed by AI, he said.
Revanth Reddy said the government was giving priority to skill development and sports and had established Young India Skills University and a Sports University.
Appealing to Muslim parents to ensure that their children received quality education and acquired employment-oriented skills, he said, " It is my responsibility to understand your challenges and resolve them".
The Chief Minister said education had the potential to transform lives and urged parents to encourage their children to pursue education and sports.
Highlighting the Congress party's role in providing political opportunities to minorities, he referred to leaders such as Ghulam Nabi Azad and Shabbir Ali. He said former cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin had been inducted into the state Cabinet, while Shabbir Ali had been appointed an adviser to the government.
He also referred to the state government's recognition of sportspersons Nikhat Zareen and Mohammed Siraj, who were honoured with cash rewards and government jobs for their achievements in sports. He urged parents to encourage their children to excel in sports.
Recalling the contributions of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Revanth Reddy said Nehru had accorded priority to education and irrigation and entrusted Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the country's first Education Minister, with the responsibility of advancing education.
He credited Azad with formulating an education policy aimed at promoting educational development across the country.