Parties celebrate 80th Independence Day on a grand note - The HinduPublished - August 15, 2026 07:38 pm IST - HYDERABADTelangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president and MLC B. Mahesh Kumar Goud along with party leaders participating in the Independence Day celebrations in Hyderabad on Saturday. | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPALProminent leaders of political parties in Telangana celebrated India’s 80th Independence Day on Saturday. They hoisted the national flag at their respective party headquarters, spoke about diversity in the country and issues that trouble people. The celebrations were held at Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad under the auspices of Telangana Pradesh Congress Sevadal, with TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud as the chief guest.Mr. Goud said that the freedom is the result of sacrifices of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Subash Chandra Bose and other tall leaders along with lakhs of freedom fighters. Giving a call to reject attempts to distort the country’s Independence history, he said there is a need to protect the spirit of constitutional values, secularism, democracy and social justice that united the country. The TPCC chief said that the State government led by Telangana Congress has been implementing the assurances made to people and prioritises welfare, development, farmers, women and students.Concept of IndiannessBharat Rashtra Samithi’s (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao, who hoisted the national flag at the party office in Hyderabad, said that despite different languages, cultures, the concept of Indianness drives people forward. Despite 80 years of Independence, the development hoped by the freedom fighters was not achieved. There still are villages without roads, electricity, water supply and schools, he said. Farmers are still struggling for irrigation resources. Martyrs rememberedBharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Telangana president N. Ramachandar Rao, who hoisted the national flag at the party office in Nampally, remembered the sacrifices of the martyrs and freedom-fighters who laid down their lives for the country’s Independence. The State BJP chief said that the Modi government has provided numerous prestigious projects to Telangana, including the Sammakka-Sarakka Tribal University, modernisation of Secunderabad and other railway stations, Kazipet Railway Manufacturing Unit, and revived industrial projects. He said that instead of implementing the New National Education Policy (NEP) introduced by the Central government, the State government has put students’ future in jeopardy by withholding nearly ₹12,000 crore in pending fee-reimbursement dues. Mr. Rao alleged the State government attempted to burden the public with taxes by dividing Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) into three corporations. Published - August 15, 2026 07:38 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }