Congress government Vs Congress party: Demolitions deepen internal rift

Key leaders from the Congress party have openly opposed the government's actions and extended support to the affected families

Hyderabad: The ongoing demolitions targeting the homes of the poor have triggered a major rift within the Congress in Telangana, with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy‘s tendency to plough his own furrow triggering open dissent from several party leaders. A ‘Congress party versus Congress government’ situation is fast intensifying in Gandhi Bhavan.

Key leaders, including former MP Madhu Yashki Goud, former MLA T Jagga Reddy and Addanki Dayakar among others, have openly opposed the government’s actions. They are not only extending support to the affected families, but also putting the State government in trouble, stating that the officials had no basis to fix the bufferzone and full tank level for majority of water bodies and also the Musi River.

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During his visit to Musi Riverfront areas in Chaitanyapuri and Kothapet on Tuesday, former MP and TPCC publicity committee chairman Madhu Yashki Goud warned officials against unneccessarily creating panic among the people with the demolitions. He assured the people that though officials had marked some houses in the area, he would ensure that no bulldozer came to the area. He also said he would file court cases on their behalf.

“Musi River beautification can be taken up without demolishing a majority of the houses. The government can construct a retaining wall on both sides of the river to protect it from encroachments. Demolition of houses without prior notice is illegal. As per the Land Acquisition Act enacted by the then UPA government, residents should be relocated by paying four times the market value of the properties,” he asserted.

On the other hand, T Jagga Reddy had recently warned officials in Sangareddy not to involve themselves in the demolitions, while Dayakar advised that the government should reconsider its approach and avoid hasty decisions that harm the poor. This public opposition has fuelled a heated debate in Gandhi Bhavan, with some describing the situation as “Congress government Vs Congress party.”

Adding to the turmoil, several senior Congress leaders are learnt to have expressed their strong reservations during internal discussions to the one-sided decisions of Revanth Reddy. Sources said they fear HYDRAA could sink both the party and the government. They are believed to be planning to raise the issue with the Congress high command, explaining the damage that these demolitions could inflict on the party’s future.

Not so surprisingly, most Ministers are distancing themselves from the ongoing demolitions. They are lamenting that the Congress, which once championed “Indiramma Rajyam”, is now earning a reputation as the demolition government. A Minister reportedly questioned the purpose of demolishing the homes of the poor, fearing that the party could become a “lifetime enemy” in the eyes of the marginalised if these actions continued.

“There is neither a proper project report nor funds for implementing the Musi Riverfront Development Project. It was also not discussed in the State Cabinet meeting till date. On what basis should we defend the unilateral announcements of the Chief Minister? Besides, our party leaders themselves are voicing dissent at the ground level. Silence makes more sense than speaking about it,” a senior Minister confessed to mediapersons off the record. They fear that these anti-public actions could lead to a political cost greater than any potential gain from the project.

With the party high command also intervening in the issue, with the issue being taken up with Revanth Reddy during his Tuesday visit to Delhi, it remains to see how the Chief Minister will handle the situation.