BJP backs Musi revival but opposes eviction of poor residents: Ramchander Rao

Hyderabad: BJP Telangana president Ramchander Rao said his party supported the Musi revival project. However, it opposed displacing poor families living along the river. He accused the Congress government of spreading false claims. The party had allegedly portrayed the BJP as an obstacle to the project.

Rao addressed a press conference at the BJP state office in Nampally. He said the party had no objection to cleaning and rejuvenating the Musi river. However, it strongly opposed plans to displace poor residents under the proposed Gandhi Sarovar project.

He urged the government to protect homes while cleaning the river. The authorities should prepare a plan that avoids damage to poor families, he said. The BJP opposed displacement, not the river’s rejuvenation.

Musi revival project spending questioned

Rao questioned the government’s proposed spending on the Musi revival project. He said the government claimed it lacked funds for employee salaries and pensions. It had also cited financial constraints over implementing Pay Revision Commission recommendations.

Against this backdrop, he questioned the plan to spend thousands of crores on the river project. He asked where the government would find the money. The funds were reportedly unavailable for other commitments, he pointed out.

The BJP leader also criticised the opposition’s proposed mock Parliament in Delhi. He accused Congress leaders of making a mockery of democratic institutions for political gain.

Rao recalled a similar exercise during the UPA government. Mulayam Singh Yadav had led that mock Parliament. He asked whether Sonia Gandhi had not questioned its purpose at the time.

He also cited former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar’s description of Parliament as a temple of democracy. Rao accused Congress leaders of undermining parliamentary institutions. He said they were organising mock sessions for political interests.