Hyderabad: The Congress party on Wednesday strongly criticized the BRS (Bharat Rashtra Samithi) leaders for comparing the demolitions happening in Telangana with those in Uttar Pradesh.
Speaking to the media, PCC (Pradesh Congress Committee) senior vice-president G Niranjan condemned the remarks made by former Minister K T Rama Rao (KTR) against Rahul Gandhi. KTR had accused Rahul Gandhi of showing ‘double standards’ by supporting the demolition drive against ‘illegal structures’ in Telangana while criticizing similar actions in Uttar Pradesh.
Niranjan responded by saying, “This clearly shows KTR’s immaturity and foolishness.” He pointed out that the Supreme Court recently condemned the ‘bulldozer culture’ of demolishing the homes of serious criminals in Uttar Pradesh and other places. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi also opposed this policy, arguing that accused individuals should be punished according to the law, rather than having their homes and properties demolished.
He further explained that, in Telangana, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HYDRA) only demolished structures that were illegally built over ponds and canals. He added that the High Court is not against the demolition of encroachments in buffer zones but has only advised officials to examine documents before taking any action.
Niranjan also accused KTR of hypocrisy, claiming that the former Minister had illegally built a farmhouse in a buffer zone. He recalled that at the beginning of the TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samithi) government, the ‘N’ Convention was partially demolished, and partial demolitions took place in the Ayyappa Society. However, he said that the BRS government later remained silent on these issues. He added that when questioned by the media, KCR (K Chandrashekar Rao) had remarked that he gave a ‘Jhalak,’ which Niranjan said was proof of the government’s dishonesty and lack of integrity.
