BRS Slams Telangana Government Over Sabitha Indra Reddy’s House Arrest

The house arrest of former Telangana minister and BRS MLA Sabitha Indra Reddy and her son, Karthik Reddy, ahead of a public hearing on the Musi River development project has triggered a sharp political confrontation, with BRS leaders accusing the Congress government of suppressing opposition voices and neglecting farmers’ concerns.

BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) condemned the police action, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Sabitha Indra Reddy and Karthik Reddy, the party’s Rajendranagar constituency in-charge. In a post on X, he accused the government of silencing those questioning its decisions and warned that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy would face a response from the public. He asserted that the BRS would continue its fight for residents affected by the Musi project.

Sabitha alleged that opposition leaders were routinely placed under house arrest or detained whenever they attempted to raise public concerns. She said the restrictions prevented her from attending the hearing and representing the interests of families living along the river.

Both leaders questioned the government’s priorities, arguing that farmers were struggling with drought-like conditions, power shortages and crop losses while the administration pursued a project estimated to cost ₹1.40 lakh crore. They demanded compensation of ₹50,000 per acre for damaged crops, accusing the government of failing to provide timely relief to the agricultural community.

Sabitha also alleged that farmers purchasing seeds for the next crop were being asked to sign declarations absolving the government of responsibility for losses caused by electricity shortages and crop failures. She criticised the suggestion that farmers unable to cultivate their land should seek employment under the rural employment guarantee scheme.

The former minister contrasted the current administration’s approach with the previous BRS government, claiming that irrigation projects, tank restoration and check dams had strengthened agricultural infrastructure. She accused the Congress government of neglecting the Kaleshwaram and Palamuru–Rangareddy irrigation projects for political reasons.

The Musi rejuvenation initiative has also raised concerns over possible demolitions and displacement. While the government presents it as a major environmental and urban development project, the BRS alleges that its implementation could affect thousands of families and benefit real estate interests.

KTR vowed to continue the agitation until residents’ concerns were addressed, intensifying the political dispute over the project’s cost, impact and implementation.