Opposition lambasts K Chandrasekhar Rao’s proposal on Osmania University

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s “land for poor” scheme continues to earn the wrath of Opposition and students.

Whether or not the CM actually takes over lands of Osmania and other varsities, he has certainly put the Opposition in a fix, winning the poor to his side and scoring a political point in the run up to the GHMC elections.

However, the entire Opposition, especially the Congress, TD and BJP, slammed the CM’s “Tughlak type” policies and warned of serious agitations if the state attempted to take over university lands.

However, Mr Rao continued to taunt the Opposition for opposing construction of houses for the poor on OU and other open lands, asserting that he would go ahead with his plan come what may.

TRSV leader Dr Ch. Rakesh and other TRS leaders defended the CM’s proposal and said, “The CM did not say that he would construct houses for the poor in front of the Arts College building. The Opposition is unnecessarily raising a hue and cry. CM was talking of OU lands located in the periphery of the campus lying idle. Some lands are under occupation of poor. Encroachments were rampant under Congress and TD rule.”

However, many TRS leaders who have graduated from OU are silent over the issue in view of opposition by the students. Telugu Desam Floor leader Mr E. Dayakar Rao opposed Mr Rao’s move saying that the government could not take over university lands.

“OU lands, RTC lands and government lands are already illegally occupied by many, including some TRS leaders. Some joined TRS to save their illegal lands. A TRS MLA occupied part of OU land and constructed a huge hotel. The matter is pending in the court. Let the CM first evict TRS encroachers. Some lands of Kakatiya University in Warangal too have been encroached,” he alleged.

He added, “Taking over university lands reflects Tughlak’s rule. KCR is trying to take revenge against OU students who forced him to continue his fast during the T-movement when he tried to call it off.”

BJP leader and former minister, Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy said that Mr Rao should drop such “absurd” plans. “He should not touch university lands. They are meant for education purposes. We have nothing against the poor. Let the government construct houses in other open government lands,” he added.

Congress ex-MP Mr Ponnam Prabhakar warned, “It’s not a monarchy for Rao to do what he likes. He cannot take over university lands for other purposes. Not a single minister is able to set foot in OU campus now. CM should drop his ego and go with public view.”