Hyderabad: The Congress and the BJP on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao on the Janwada farmhouse issue accusing him of indulging in illegal activities when he was the municipal minister for 10 years under the BRS regime.
Without mincing words, BJP Legislative Party (BJPLP) leader Aleti Maheshwar Reddy described Rama Rao's defence of the farmhouse as "childish" and questioned how someone with his experience and power as municipal minister could be involved in such an act. "KTR is not an ordinary man. He has served as the municipal minister and acted as the “de facto Chief Minister' for a decade under the BRS regime. How can someone of his stature take an illegal farmhouse on lease?" Reddy questioned.
He further criticised Rama Rao for allegedly granting approvals for illegal constructions during his tenure. "Isn't it KTR who, as the municipal minister, gave permissions for the construction of illegal farmhouses during the BRS government? Did KTR not know that he should not take an illegal farmhouse on lease?" Reddy asked pointedly.
Maheshwar Reddy also raised concerns about Rama Rao's responsibility in verifying the legality of the farmhouse before leasing it. "As someone who has held a powerful position in the municipal department, KTR should have ensured that the farmhouse he decided to lease was approved and legal. How can KTR himself violate the rules he was supposed to uphold?" Reddy argued.
The BJP leader asserted that Rama Rao could not evade accountability by claiming that the farmhouse belonged to a friend and that he merely leased it. He demanded that the state government take swift action, similar to the recent demolitions of other illegal farmhouses and buildings located in Full Tank Level (FTL) areas.
"Why is KTR only defending the Janwada farmhouse? Why has he remained silent on the demolitions carried out by HYDRAA over the past few days? His selective concern for this particular farmhouse shows that he is at fault," Reddy stated.
TPCC working president and MLC B. Mahesh Kumar Goud led the charge from the Congress, accusing the BRS working president of acquiring illegal land and farm house and misusing power when the BRS was in power for 10 years.
Goud asserted that all the lands in Janwada, where the controversial farmhouse is located, belong to Rama Rao and his family members. He accused Rama Rao of demolishing canals in the area to build the sprawling farmhouse, which allegedly covers one lakh square feet. "If KTR has the courage, he should demolish the farmhouse himself. Then we will be satisfied," Goud challenged, questioning the legality of the construction.
The Congress leader also raised suspicions about Rama Rao’s activities on the day a drone was reportedly flying over the farmhouse, suggesting that the minister was involved in something illicit. Goud said that no one should be exempt from scrutiny under the Full Tank Level (FTL) regulations.
He praised Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who recently formed the HYDRAA task force to protect government assets from illegal encroachments. The task force, which aims to protect government assets from illegal encroachments, has received widespread support within the party. He hailed Revanth Reddy's decision to establish HYDRAA as a transparent and effective mechanism to address land encroachments, particularly in sensitive areas like Janwada.
Bhuvanagiri MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy also weighed in, responding to Rama Rao's comments that several Congress ministers own illegal farmhouses in FTL areas. He challenged Rama Rao to provide evidence of such illegalities, asserting that Congress leaders were willing to face the consequences if found guilty.
He alleged that the Janwada farmhouse land is registered in the name of Rama Rao’s wife, Shailima and the police reportedly confirmed this.
Chamala also criticised Rama Rao for claiming that he took the farmhouse for lease from a friend, calling it a new drama to divert public attention. He lashed at Rama Rao for his contradictory actions, pointing out that while Rama Rao had called for the demolition of illegal constructions, he simultaneously sought legal protection to prevent the demolition of his farmhouse.
