Balmur Venkat Accuses BRS Leaders of Misusing Power for Land Deals

Telangana Congress MLC and Government Whip Balmur Venkat has alleged that BRS leaders accumulated substantial land and property by misusing political power during the party’s 10-year rule in the state. He said the government would conduct a comprehensive investigation into alleged land encroachments and unauthorised farmhouses in Rangareddy district, and warned that strict legal action would follow if violations were established.

Speaking to reporters in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Venkat accused several BRS leaders of substantially increasing their assets during the previous government’s tenure. He said a comparison between the 2004 or 2009 election affidavits and their 2023 affidavits would reveal significant growth in the declared assets of leaders including K Chandrashekar Rao, K T Rama Rao, T Harish Rao, Pilot Rohit Reddy and Jagadish Reddy.

Venkat also alleged that the government had evidence relating to claims of irregularities involving people’s lands under the Dharani land records system. He said the government would investigate allegations of land grabbing and take action wherever violations were established.

The Congress leader said officials would examine cases involving assigned lands, government lands and endowment properties, as well as properties falling within the Full Tank Level (FTL) limits of water bodies. If encroachments or violations are confirmed, the concerned departments would initiate action according to the applicable laws and regulations, he said.

Venkat further alleged that BRS leaders would have to answer questions concerning land transactions and property-related issues during their decade in power. He accused the opposition leaders of making allegations against the Chief Minister and Congress leaders without producing evidence.

Venkat also criticised the BJP over its response to the state’s rainfall deficit, water shortages and El Niño conditions. He alleged that BJP leaders were attempting to turn the situation into a political issue by visiting irrigation projects such as Jurala and targeting the state government.

He said the effects of El Niño were not limited to Telangana and were being witnessed across the country, particularly in southern India. During periods of natural hardship, political parties should focus on finding solutions and supporting people rather than engaging in political confrontation, he said.

Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, Venkat recalled that Rahul Gandhi had earlier urged political leaders to prioritise public welfare during a crisis. Venkat alleged that the BJP was now attempting to use the El Niño-related situation in Telangana for political advantage.