HYDERABAD: Criticizing the ongoing demolition drive by HYDRAA, BRS leader and former minister T. Harish Rao accused the government of damaging Hyderabad’s reputation.
Harish Rao questioned the legitimacy of HYDRAA’s actions, pointing out that its office in Buddha Bhavan was reportedly built on a nala. He challenged HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath to address whether his office would be demolished as well. Speaking informally with reporters on Thursday, Rao also highlighted encroachments by several restaurants and commercial buildings on Necklace Road, urging the government to address these violations. He noted the construction of large towers in areas like Mir Alam, Uppal, and Ramanthapur lakes and claimed that water from Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy’s property was being diverted into a tank.
Regarding Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s comments on K. Kavitha’s bail, Rao stated that justice and truth had prevailed in Kavitha’s case, and drew a parallel to the CM’s own bail in the note-for-vote case, questioning if it was influenced by BRS support.
Rao further alleged that high-ranking government officials were purchasing land in the proposed Mucherla city through benami transactions and promised to reveal details about this conspiracy at a later date. He also claimed there were attempts to seize 385 acres of government land in Kandukur and 25 acres of farmers' land in Tukkuguda.
The former minister criticized state Congress leaders for their silence on the Valmiki scam and questioned whether the government would request an ED investigation. He suggested that Congress and BJP leaders were colluding, noting that BJP leaders Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay had not addressed the scam.