Charlapalli Jail, Nov.14 (NSS): After meeting former MLA Patnam Narender Reddy at Charlapalli Jail, former minister Harish Rao issued a pointed critique of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s governance, declaring that public dissent is rising across Telangana as people grow disillusioned with what he described as “so-called people’s governance.”
“A people’s revolt has begun against Revanth Reddy’s leadership,” Harish Rao stated. “In Lagcherla, villagers have been pleading for months to reclaim their lands. Revanth Reddy, as an MLA, should be engaging with them, yet he chooses to use police and hired enforcers to silence those he should be representing. Farmers who trusted him now feel utterly betrayed. Villagers are being forced to abandon their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs. This isn’t governance; it’s coercion.”
Harish Rao accused Congress leaders of misleading the public through press conferences instead of addressing people’s real grievances. He dismissed government claims as evasive, citing police reports that only a single call was made related to recent disturbances in Lagcherla. “Congress leaders are spreading misinformation to cover up their failures,” he said.
Rao criticized Revanth for routinely dismissing every protest as a BRS conspiracy, from student protests in Ashok Nagar to farmers on the roads, police demonstrations, and tribal communities fighting for land rights. “As the Opposition, it’s our duty to stand with those who are being silenced and to support students, police, farmers, and tribal communities against these suppressive tactics.”
Harish Rao described how BRS leaders were blocked from reaching Lagcherla to support the protesters, including Leader of the Opposition Madhusudhanachari, RS Praveen, and MP Aruna. “Even a nine-month pregnant woman was harassed in her own home. Is this the governance that Revanth Reddy is so proud of?” he asked. Rao also condemned the current administration’s handling of the Hyderabad Pharma City project, accusing it of focusing more on real estate ventures in green farmlands than protecting the rights of local farmers.
“While KCR designated 14,000 acres for Pharma City development, this government is ignoring the needs of the people in favour of corporate interests. This is not development; it’s exploitation,” he declared, drawing parallels to the restrictive policies of Indira Gandhi’s emergency rule.
Turning to allegations of false charges and arrests targeting Opposition leaders, Rao criticized Revanth’s alleged strategy to silence Opposition voices. “Narender Reddy, KTR, and even innocent tribal farmers have faced fabricated cases, but the people will not forget these tactics. Arrest me, arrest KTR, or any of our MLAs, but do not harass innocent farmers fighting for their lands. This is not justice,” Rao asserted.
Recalling Revanth Reddy’s own protest during the Mallanna Sagar incident, Rao pointed out how the government respected Revanth’s right to protest without interference or arrest. “During his hunger strike, we ensured his protection and upheld his right to protest. Now, when our leaders try to stand with the people, they are blocked, harassed, and even arrested. Where is the democracy he promised?” questioned Rao.
Reaffirming the BRS’s support for Narender Reddy, Harish Rao declared that the party would fully stand by him and every affected community. He also expressed his faith in the judiciary, confident that justice would prevail. “Narender Reddy remains courageous, and BRS stands firmly with him. We trust in the judiciary and believe he will be cleared of all false allegations,” he said.
Rao concluded by pledging the BRS’s continued support for Telangana’s marginalized communities. “The BRS will fight for justice and support the rights of Dalits, tribals, farmers, and every citizen affected by these oppressive policies. Telangana deserves governance that respects and serves its people, not one that intimidates them, he added.
