Hyderabad: Senior BRS leader and former minister Talsani Srinivas Yadav on Sunday came out strongly against the proposed Secunderabad name change and expansion of GHMC divisions. He accused the Congress-led government of acting without public consultation. He warned that Telangana would witness mass resistance if it continued to push ahead unilaterally.
Speaking at a meeting of the Lashkar District Sadhana Samithi held at Balam Rayali Palace, Talsani said the Congress had failed to deliver any development in two years. “What project have they built in this term? Not one,” he said. He contrasted this with the progress made under former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, who, he said, turned Hyderabad into a global city. Now, he argued, the city is facing a systematic decline.
Talsani warns of black-flag protests over Secunderabad name change
Talsani criticised Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for pledging to change place names and restructure the GHMC without engaging with elected representatives or the public. He said Revanth’s plan to increase GHMC divisions from 150 to 300 lacked transparency. He questioned whether this was a constitutional democracy or a private estate.
According to him, the GHMC delimitation process was flawed and opaque. “Even the Commissioner and the Mayor were not informed. If this is how you govern, how can we trust you?” he asked. He accused the government of disrespecting the identity and heritage of Secunderabad.
He announced that a large black-flag rally would be held on January 17, starting from Secunderabad Railway Station. Thousands would join, he said, to demand that the state reverse the name change proposal and GHMC changes. He warned that if the government did not respond, the protest would escalate into a bandh. This would be followed by relay hunger strikes and, if needed, indefinite fasts.
Talsani also demanded the creation of a Greater Secunderabad Municipal Corporation and called for Secunderabad to be declared a district. “This is not just about politics. If someone tried to rename your parents, would you stay silent?” he asked. “Our self-respect is non-negotiable,” he added.
He questioned the use of Google Maps for delimitation and said people born in Secunderabad should come forward to defend their city’s name. He urged participation from all political affiliations, stating that the issue went beyond party lines.
“Our fight is for our identity, for fair governance, and for Hyderabad’s future,” he said. “We will fight with determination, not with violence, and we will not stop until this injustice is reversed.”