Warangal: The demolition of a 75-year-old Workers' Union building of Azam Jahi Mills, the last standing remnant of the iconic mill, allegedly by land sharks, has triggered a political storm in Warangal.
The building, constructed by workers in 1957 on a 1,400-square-yard plot near Venkatrama Theatre, symbolised labour solidarity.
Land sharks, reportedly backed by local political representatives, not only encroached on the land but also started constructing a commercial complex on the site. The controversy escalated when former MLC Konda Muralidhar Rao laid the foundation stone for the complex, drawing sharp criticism from Opposition parties and labour unions.
BJP leader Errabelli Pradeep Rao said that Muralidhar Rao, popularly known as Murali, had earlier opposed encroachments under the BRS government but had now aligned with those responsible for demolishing the union building.
"How can a Congress leader justify laying a foundation for a commercial complex on a site that represents the workers' struggles," Pradeep Rao asked. The BJP, along with labour unions, vowed to intensify protests until the state government halts the construction and rebuilds the workers' union building.
BRS leader and former MLA Nannapuneni Narendar also condemned the encroachments, demanding action against those responsible. He assured workers that if the BRS returns to power, rebuilding the union building on the original site would be a priority.
Amid mounting criticism, Muralidhar Rao issued a clarification, denying involvement in any land encroachment. Speaking at a press meet, he claimed that the union building was not on government land and accused his political rivals of spreading false propaganda.
"I have always stood by the workers during my 40 years in politics and had no role in the encroachments," he stated and promised to advocate for the construction of a community hall for workers at the site, bringing the issue to the state government's attention.
