Rama Rao Accuses Telangana CM of Weaponizing HYDRAA for Political Extortion

Allegations of Selective Enforcement and Land Manipulation

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao launched a scathing critique of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) during a press briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday. The BRS leader characterized the agency as a mechanism for extortion and blackmail operated by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. Rama Rao highlighted a drastic shift in land classification, noting that prohibited land listings surged from 16 lakh acres during the BRS tenure to nearly one crore acres under the current government, a move he described as evidence of malevolent intent.

Addressing a recent High Court judgment regarding the agency, Rama Rao argued that its operations disproportionately impact poor and middle-class citizens. He questioned why HYDRAA had failed to take action against the properties of influential figures, specifically naming:

• Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy
• A. Tirupathi Reddy (the Chief Minister’s brother)
• G. Vivek
• G. Sukender Reddy

These individuals, Rama Rao claimed, possess homes within the full tank level or buffer zones of water bodies yet remain untouched by demolition or enforcement actions.

Infrastructure Demands and Railway Expansion

Beyond his criticism of local governance, Rama Rao led a delegation including MPs Vaddiraju Ravichandra, D. Damodar Rao, and MLA G. Jagadish Reddy to meet Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The meeting focused on long-standing regional infrastructure deficits. Rama Rao pushed for the creation of new railway divisions in Kazipet and Kothagudem. He noted that these areas manage over 2,000 km of track network, making them more qualified for divisional status than Guntur, which serves a 900 km network.

The BRS delegation specifically addressed the Manoharabad-Kothapalli line. While the 76 km Manoharabad-Siddipet segment is complete, 75 km remains pending. Rama Rao warned that delays have caused project costs to skyrocket from an initial estimate of ₹1,100 crore in 2004 to ₹2,700 crore today. Completing this link is vital for the textile hubs of Sircilla and Vemulawada, providing much-needed export routes for fabric and garments to Hyderabad and Karimnagar.

Dismissing Collusion and Promoting Tier-II IT Growth

Responding to inquiries about his presence in the capital, Rama Rao dismissed the need for his leadership to meet Revanth Reddy in Delhi, stating that any necessary direct communication could happen locally in Hyderabad. He suggested that the public is aware of political collusion, citing the stalling of ED and IT raids on Congress and BJP-affiliated figures as indicators of backroom deals.

Finally, the former IT minister urged the Union Government to support employment growth in Telangana’s secondary hubs. He requested assistance in populating 10 newly constructed IT towers in tier-two cities with IT and ITES units, aimed at securing local jobs for regional youth.

Source: The Hindu — Home