HYDERABAD:  Veteran Congress leader  Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) cannot change its name to become a national party.

Kharge, a candidate for the presidency of the Congress party, told reporters that other regional parties had previously changed their identities in an effort to become national parties, but nothing had happened. "TMC changed to All India TMC, whereas ADMK became AIADMK. Do they now function as national parties? "He said.

After arriving in the city to campaign for the party's presidential elections, Kharge was speaking with reporters at Gandhi Bhavan, the party's headquarters.

He also retaliated against BJP politicians who had mocked the Congress party's presidential campaign. He said that individuals who reject democracy have no right to criticise the presidential primary held by the Congress party. The top leader claimed that there had never been a presidential election held by the BJP. He questioned why Advani, Gadkari, Rajnath Singh, J. P. Nadda, Amit Shah, and others had been chosen to lead the BJP.

The election between Kharge and Shashi Tharoor was described by Kharge as a party internal business. Kharge claimed that India has experienced a decrease in all industries under the Narendra Modi administration. Modi and Shah's crew, he claimed, have "destroyed" the nation.

"They used to question us repeatedly what we had done for 70 years. Major irrigation projects and dams were constructed. Major public sector businesses that we developed are being sold off one by one" he said.

During the BJP's administration, unemployment has reached a record high. According to him, Covid caused millions of individuals to lose their jobs. He emphasised how the rupee's value has fallen to an all-time low of 82.32 against the dollar.

The Congressman claimed that due to a sharp increase in the cost of necessities, life for the average person has become unpleasant under the Modi administration. When the Congress was in power, LPG cylinders cost Rs 416; today, they cost Rs 1,100.

By placing GST on goods like milk, pencils, and even rubber, according to Kharge, the Modi administration has increased the burden on the average person.

Earlier, when Karge landed at the city's Begumpet Airport, various Congress leaders gave him a warm greeting. A. Revanth Reddy, president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC), MP Uttam Kumar Reddy, senior leaders V. Hanumanth Rao and Ponnala Lakshmaiah, and AICC secretary Sampath Kumar welcomed Kharge. Kharge talked with TPCC delegates after arriving in Ganhi Pavan. 

Elections for the presidency of the Congress are scheduled on October 17. On October 19, the results will be made public.

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