Poorer sections under stress in Congress rule: MLC Madhusudhan

BRS district president and MLC Tata Madhusudhan criticised the Congress government over house demolitions at Velugumatla, accusing it of betraying poll promises. He said the party would pursue legal remedies and approach rights commissions to support displaced families

Khammam: Incidents like demolition of houses of the poor and destruction of livelihoods increased in Congress’ rule in Telangana and the government was acting contrary to the promises made before the elections, complained district BRS president MLC Tata Madhusudhan.

Speaking to the media here on Friday, he said that the Congress party’s three ministers in Khammam district would be held responsible for the demolition of houses at Velugumatla and that they had to pay a price for the suffering caused to the poor.

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The MLC took serious exception to Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy’s comments that those who staged protests at Velugumatla were paid artistes. It was sad that the poor who voted for the Congress hoping that they would get a house if it came to power, had now become paid artistes for the Minister.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy during an Assembly session promised to provide pattas in Bhoodan lands, but forgot his promise under the pressure of the three ministers in Khammam. The three district ministers should come for a public debate over the matter, he challenged.

The BRS party would stand by the displaced families, and the incident that happened in Velugumatla was not just a problem of a few, but was a symbol of the injustice faced by the poor across the State, he said.

The BRS legal cell has already initiated steps to fight a legal battle on behalf of the affected families as promised by the party’s working president. The party would bear all the expenses even if it has to go to the Supreme Court.

Complaints would be filed with national and State Human Rights Commissions as well as with the SC/ST and Minority Commissions. Steps should be taken to provide immediate rehabilitation and double-bedroom houses to the displaced families, the MLC said.

Party city president Pagadala Nagaraju, leaders K Nagabhushanam, Gundala Krishna, Uppala Venkataramana, Mohammed Tajuddin, Banka Mallanna, L Sathish and others were present.