Hyderabad: TPCC president and MLC B Mahesh Kumar Goud on Wednesday said the Congress holds former chief minister and BRS president K Chandrasekar Rao (KCR) in high regard and wishes him a healthy life of 100 years.Responding to BRS MLAs’ allegations that a Congress legislator had wished for KCR’s death, Goud said the Congress respected opposition leaders and follows a political culture based on humanity and dignity.“KCR, as leader of the opposition, is being provided govt security second only to that accorded to the chief minister,” Goud said, rejecting allegations that the party had any role in matters concerning KCR’s health.Recalling instances from the past, Goud cited the Congress govt’s humanitarian approach towards senior opposition leaders. “Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was sent to the United States for medical treatment when he was unwell. Congress also facilitated bypass surgery for former Union minister and Congress leader S Jaipal Reddy. The Congress govt in Telangana arranged KCR’s transfer to hospital through a green channel to ensure that he received medical treatment when he fell in the bathroom,” claimed Goud.He also criticised what he described as attempts to link KCR’s personal or domestic issues to the Congress. He questioned the political propriety of performing ‘Pinda Pradanam’, a ritual offering associated with the deceased, for a sitting chief minister and said such practices were not healthy for political culture.The TPCC president also sought an explanation from former minister T Harish Rao over allegations that he had commissioned occult rituals allegedly aimed at affecting KCR’s health. He said no response had been given so far to the allegations and maintained that Harish Rao should clarify his position.Goud referred to remarks attributed to K Kavitha, who had allegedly accused Harish Rao of commissioning occult rituals to cause a deterioration in KCR’s health. He said the allegations and the video clip containing Kavitha’s comments needed to be examined.On the Congress’ social justice record, the TPCC president said the party had a history of honouring Dalits by appointing them to the highest positions. This reflected the Congress’ political culture of respecting and empowering leaders from marginalised communities.Goud further recalled the Congress’ humanitarian approach in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, citing it as another example of the party’s approach to clemency and compassion.He said political parties should maintain dignity and restraint while dealing with personal matters involving political leaders and stressed that attributing personal or family-related issues to political opponents was inappropriate.
