BJP to back Telangana policy

Hyderabad: In a new twist, the BJP has decided to back the government’s land regularisation scheme, which TRS ally MIM had opposed.

The BJP, which has okayed the government’s proposal to regularise free of cost houses constructed on 125 square yards for the poor, will also back other regularisation proposals when Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao convenes a meeting of Hyderabad MLAs soon.

“We will support the CM on land regularisation, including free regularisation of houses constructed up to 125 square yards for the poor, levy of nominal charge for middle class and heavy fees for those who have constructed houses on 500 sq. yards and above,” said G. Kishan Reddy, BJP state president.

In contrast to arch rival MIM seeking a halt to the scheme till its doubts were cleared, the BJP state chief wanted the scheme to be grounded at the earliest.

“The government has taken a bold step. We will back the government since thousands of people will benefit. If something goes wrong, it will face the music,” he remarked.

While there was total consensus at the all party meeting convened by KCR on regularisation of lands of plot sizes of 125 square yards free of cost to the poor, there were differences of opinion on other issues like collecting market rates for higher plot sizes, the Metro Rail and Vinayak Sagar.

“Its a good idea to help the poor. I think it’s time we should put an end to the vexed land issues in Hyderabad. We will cooperate with the government. If there are any anomalies, it can be rectified. But the scheme should not be stopped,” Mr Reddy added.

Asked whether the party supported setting up legislators’ panels for each Assembly constituency to oversee the regularisation issue, he said that the CM had only sought their cooperation. “Decision and implementation is the lookout of the government. We have no role. But we will cooperate with the government,” he said.