Hyderabad: Former Minister Harish Rao accused the Congress government of undermining democracy after police arrested him while he was heading to Parigi to support protesting farmers.
He said police stopped him despite informing authorities about the visit. He added that the government was unwilling to listen to farmers’ grievances.
Harish Rao alleged that the government was targeting the poor and weaker sections through land policies. He said authorities attempted demolitions under various initiatives and were now moving to acquire more lands.
Harish Rao attacks land acquisition, backs protesting farmers
Further, he accused the government of trying to take over lands in the name of development. He questioned why authorities were focusing only on land acquisition instead of governance.
He said promises made to assign land rights to weaker sections remained unfulfilled. At the same time, he alleged that existing lands were being taken away.
Meanwhile, he claimed that industrial notifications were being issued in areas where SC and ST communities owned land. Therefore, he said the government was acting against vulnerable groups.
He said arrests would not stop them from supporting farmers. He added that BRS leaders would continue to visit affected villages.
The controversy centres on the proposed industrial park in Parigi mandal. The government plans to acquire 1,197 acres in Kallapur and Rapol villages for the project.
However, farmers launched relay protests refusing to give up their lands. BRS extended support to the agitation and planned visits to express solidarity.
Police arrested Harish Rao at Appa Junction while he was heading to Parigi. In addition, they detained former ministers Sabitha Indra Reddy and Errabelli Dayakar Rao along with former MLA Venkateshwar Reddy.
Authorities shifted the leaders to a police station and later moved them towards Shamshabad along the Outer Ring Road under tight security.
మాజీ మంత్రులు @BRSHarish, @BrsSabithaIndra, @EDRBRS ను శంషాబాద్ పోలీస్ స్టేషన్ కు తరలించిన పోలీసులు.. https://t.co/cmHQXDRQEH pic.twitter.com/moFYWPKTKm
— BRS Party (@BRSparty) April 7, 2026