Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), accusing its leaders of obstructing development projects initiated by his government. Speaking at a public meeting in Vemulawada district, Reddy alleged that BRS working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) conspired to incite a violent attack on government officials in his Kodangal constituency and warned that KTR would face imprisonment for his actions.
The controversy stems from a November 11 incident in Lagacharla when officials conducting a public hearing for land acquisition in Lagacharla in Vikarabad district, were reportedly assaulted. Chief Minister Reddy alleged the attack was orchestrated by the BRS to derail plans for industrial development in the backward Kodangal region, which happens to be Revanth Reddy’s constituency.
The proposed land acquisition was aimed at establishing industries and creating jobs in the area, the Chief Minister said. “When police cases are filed regarding the attack, BRS leaders object. Is this how you support development?” Reddy asked.
BRS MLA Patnam Narender Reddy, who was arrested in connection with the November 11 attack on government officials, reportedly confessed to have planned the violence, acting on the instructions of KTR and other prominent BRS leaders.
Reddy’s attack on BRS leaders came after the Opposition party’s youth wing leader B Suresh, was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on Tuesday as the main accused in the Lagacharla assault case.
Acknowledging the inevitability of land acquisition for development, Reddy announced that he had instructed officials to substantially raise compensation for landowners to facilitate the process smoothly.
Reddy also criticised KTR’s visit to Delhi in solidarity with the families of those arrested for the November 11 Lagacharla attack, accusing him of attempting to sway the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). “You may go anywhere, but remember, KTR, you will go behind bars for the conspiracy,” Reddy warned.
Reddy also accused BRS MLA T Harish Rao, the nephew of BRS president and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), of sabotaging the Narayanpet-Kodangal lift irrigation project, which is intended to irrigate one lakh acres of farmland.
Challenging KCR, he questioned, “Do you support the language and actions of your son and nephew? Was land not acquired during the BRS regime for irrigation projects and the pharma city?”
KTR has consistently been a vocal critic of the Congress government in Telangana, frequently accusing it of inefficiency, policy missteps, and unfulfilled promises. He has targeted Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and his administration for allegedly failing to deliver on development projects and neglecting crucial sectors like irrigation, infrastructure, and employment generation.
In a recent exclusive interview with India Today TV, KTR slammed the Revanth Reddy government in Telangana, calling it “a disaster”. He said, “Well, this government has been nothing short of a disaster because, you know, the revenues are down. IT companies are moving away.”