Telangana, Kerala governments spar over Khammam’s Velugumatla house demolitions

A political row has erupted between the Telangana and Kerala governments over the demolition of Bhoodan houses at Velugumatla in Khammam. Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy dismissed Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s remarks as political propaganda

Hyderabad: A verbal feud has erupted between the Congress government in Telangana and the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front government in Kerala over the demolition of houses belonging to poor families at Velugumatla village in Khammam, with Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy countering Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’ remarks.

The Revenue Minister described the Kerala Chief Minister’s comments as political propaganda. Earlier on Monday, Pinarayi Vijayan had alleged that the demolition of 700 Bhoodan-allotted homes in Khammam exposed the Congress government’s true face in Telangana.

---

Reacting sharply, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy stated that dragging the Kerala Congress into the issue was purely for political gain.

“The administration in Telangana is functioning strictly in accordance with local conditions and legal frameworks. The Congress party has always stood for the poor and is committed to their welfare. Protecting government lands is about safeguarding assets for future generations. Labeling these actions, which are being carried out according to regulations, as ‘Bulldozer Raj’ is nothing but a move to mislead the public,” Srinivas Reddy said on X.