BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao has made headlines after he accused the ruling Congress government of politically motivated arrests tied to the controversial Lagacherla land acquisition, claiming the officials’ actions have stirred unrest among the farmers.
On Friday, KTR addressed the media outside Sangareddy prison, where he had gathered to meet the 16 villagers arrested following allegations they were involved in violent protests against the land acquisition. These arrests unfolded amid the backdrop of plans for setting up a new pharma village, which local residents strongly oppose.
KTR, who accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and his brother Tirupati Reddy of trying to forcefully take land away from farmers, stated, “Politically motivated arrests are being made to suppress dissent and frame the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) as the culprit.” He went on to highlight how innocent villagers, including local panchayat officials and students, were implicated without just cause.
His accusation is particularly pointed at the alleged collusion between the local police and Congress leaders, who he claims wielded intimidation tactics to silence opposition against the pharma project. “Despite clear evidence of their absence during the attack, innocent villagers are being wrongfully jailed,” KTR remarked. He condemned the midnight raids carried out by law enforcement, which he described as terrorizing and humiliative for the local population.
BRS leaders accompanied KTR during his visit, expressing solidarity with the arrested individuals and vowing to provide them with legal support. They articulated their determination to challenge the state government's efforts to take land worth Rs. 60-70 lakh per acre for mere pennies on the rupee.
The political backdrop to this tense situation traces back to significant public opposition sparked on October 25 when villagers actively resisted efforts by the Congress-led state government to advance its plans for the pharma village. Tempers flared during public consultations, culminating with residents locking up local Congress officials in the gram panchayat office.
Just weeks later, the attack on Vikarabad District Collector Prateek Jain occurred during his visit to address local concerns about the project. Interestingly, many questions arose about the police's preparedness for such public interactions — minimal security accompanied the Collector, raising eyebrows over official negligence. Eyewitness accounts suggest no immediate police presence when the allegedly violent clash broke out.
Interestingly enough, after the confrontation, Prateek Jain attempted to downplay the incident, declaring it was not targeted violence against him, which contrasted sharply with claims made by Congress leaders. They suggested it was part of a larger conspiracy, implicatively linking KTR and former MLA Patnam Narender Reddy with the attack.
A detailed police remand report later contradicted these assertions, indicating there were far fewer communications between BRS individuals alleged to be involved than first claimed by congressional representatives. Following the initial flurry of arrests — more than 50 people were taken for questioning — police selectively chose to remand those identified as BRS affiliates. The absence of any Congress members among those arrested raises troubling questions about political bias.
The situation escalated post-incident, with heavy police presence blanketing the area to deter subsequent unrest. Teams were deployed to manage the tense atmosphere, including internet shutdowns and restricted media access to Lagacherla, blocking coverage of locals’ reactions and sentiments.
Additional scrutiny arose when Tirupati Reddy was seen visiting Lagacherla, raising suspicions among locals about government intentions. Even as police forces maintained tight grips on the village, residents voiced their concerns about the legitimacy and ethics of the pharma village’s establishment.
These events have sparked widespread speculation, with many segments of the political spectrum suspecting deliberate attempts to frame K.T. Rama Rao as part of orchestrated smear tactics by the ruling Congress government. Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy hinted at forthcoming political turbulence, stating, “Political bombs may be set to explode across the state,” alluding to the growing tensions between the ruling authorities and the BRS.
Within this web of accusations and counterclaims, KTR stands firm, asserting his commitment to the farmers of Telangana, even challenging the Chief Minister to arrest him, stating, “I would walk proudly to prison for standing by our farmers.” His fortitude has become emblematic of the fight between rural rights and political expediency.
The involvement of local authorities and the regional political dynamic complicates the situation, with malicious interpretations about the Congress's actions threading through community discussions and political rallies alike. Many hope for transparency and fairness as the dust settles on what has become one of the more controversial land acquisition issues seen recently.
With KTR publicly denouncing the government’s treatment of farmers and the integrity of the arrest procedures, the situation now pivots on how both sides will navigate what has turned personal and politically charged. This incident poses fundamental questions about land rights, political manipulation, and the real intentions behind development projects framed as beneficial for regions.
With significant public resentment brewing against the state government and its policies, the outcome of this narrative will likely shape the political fabric of Telangana moving forward, influencing local governance and community trust for years to come.
