Hyderabad: Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao alleged that the Congress government demolished houses of poor families in Velugumatla in defiance of court status quo orders, leaving about 1,800 people homeless.
Rao visited Velugumatla in Khammam district on Sunday and interacted with displaced families. He accused the Revanth Reddy government of pulling down houses despite High Court directions to maintain status quo.
According to him, nearly 600 households, comprising labourers and hamalis, had lived there since 2013-14. He said they built houses near the Collectorate office using savings and by selling jewellery.
The demolition left around 1,800 individuals without shelter, he alleged. Rao termed the action atrocious and said the government bypassed legal processes.
Velugumatla house demolition defied court orders: BJP
Rao said courts had issued status quo orders several times while cases over the land remained pending. However, revenue officials went ahead and served eviction notices, he claimed.
He described the move as a heinous act. Moreover, he questioned the authority of the State government to proceed with demolitions while legal proceedings were underway.
The BJP leader alleged that land values rose sharply after the establishment of the Collectorate office. In addition, he said a proposed highway project further increased the land’s value.
According to Rao, the government attempted to evict the poor as the land became commercially valuable. He also rejected claims that fake documents and illegal allotments surfaced in an inquiry by the Bhoodan Board and Revenue Department.
Velugumatla house demolition linked to land value rise
Rao alleged that authorities used the inquiry findings as a pretext to demolish the houses. He accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of adopting what he called a “crowbar government” approach.
“Since Revanth Reddy came to power, it seems he is moving around with a crowbar in hand and demolishing the homes of the poor,” Rao said.
He demanded that the government immediately rectify its action and construct permanent houses at the same location. At the very least, shelter should be provided under the Indiramma Houses scheme, he said.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders organised an Annadanam programme at the site to support affected families. Rao asserted that the party would stand by the poor and continue its fight for their rights.
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పాలకుల ప్రధాన బాధ్యత పేదలకు రక్షణ కల్పించడం, కానీ భక్షకులుగా మారడం కాదు!
ఖమ్మం జిల్లా వెలుగుమట్ల గ్రామంలో కాంగ్రెస్ ప్రభుత్వం అమానుషంగా ఇళ్లు కూల్చివేసిన బాధిత కుటుంబాలను ఈరోజు పరామర్శించడం జరిగింది. శిథిలాల మధ్య మట్టిపాలైన చిన్నారుల పుస్తకాలు, చెల్లాచెదురైన ధాన్యం… pic.twitter.com/sXHy9bCZJI
— N Ramchander Rao (@N_RamchanderRao) March 1, 2026