TPCC chief slams Centre over Operation Kagaar, calls it a corporate-driven crackdown

Hyderabad: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Mahesh Kumar Goud accused the Union government of using Operation Kagaar as a cover for corporate handover of forest resources and a brutal crackdown on dissent.

Speaking at the reopening of the CPI Makhdoom office on Thursday, Goud alleged that women and children were being killed under the guise of the operation despite Maoists offering to hold talks. He described the Centre’s action as a “massacre,” carried out to facilitate private exploitation of mineral wealth.

Goud criticised the BJP-led government for labelling dissenters as “urban Naxalites.” He claimed he was branded anti-national the day after voicing concerns about Operation Kagaar during a round table meeting.

The TPCC chief condemned the functioning of the Election Commission, calling it a “tool favouring select individuals.” He cited the removal of voters in Bihar over surname discrepancies, a move he said benefited a particular party. The matter is now before the Supreme Court.

He charged the Centre with systematically weakening constitutional institutions, alleging that even upright officials were being forced to yield under pressure. Goud welcomed the INDIA bloc’s protests and called for broader secular unity to defend democracy.

Referring to communist ideology, he said it remains relevant and strong. He highlighted the success of the Congress-Left alliance in the recent Assembly polls as evidence of the power of united secular forces.

CPI leaders including Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, D. Raja, Narayana, Chada Venkat Reddy, Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao, and others were present.