Hyderabad: While the Congress and other parties are trying to keep the Mallannasagar controversy alive, hundreds of farmers took out rallies across TS in support of the project on Tuesday. Pro-Mallannasagar farmers raised slogans against the Opposition Congress, TD and other parties and submitted memoranda to MROs and collectors, demanding construction of the project. In Hyderabad, police arrested senior Congress leaders S. Jaipal Reddy, K. Jana Reddy, Gandra Venkataramana Reddy, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Mohd Ali Shabbir, Mallu Ravi, Sabita Indra Reddy, Mahesh and others when they tried to take out a “Chalo Mallannasagar” rally from Gandhi Bhavan to Medak district.
In the Rajya Sabha, Congress MP M.A. Khan accused the TS government of forcibly taking over lands for Mallannasagar project. Congress leaders in Hyderabad were arrested at Nampally crossroads after heated arguments. They were later let off. Senior Congress leaders condemned the arrests and the police taking action. “I never saw police siege of Gandhi Bhavan. If the cops want to arrest us, they can do on the outskirts of Medak, but they can’t lay siege on Gandhi Bhavan. Several leaders were also put under house arrest. Is there an Emergency in the state,” Mr Jaipal Reddy said.
He said that the CM should speak to the affected people and clarify his stand before the media, but shouldn’t leave the issue to the ministers. “There are two issues. Should land be acquired under LAA-2013? Nearly 40 per cent of villagers don’t own any land. Social impact assessment in the 2013 Act provides relief to such people,” Mr Jaipal Reddy explained. Accusing TRS leaders of cheating and taking consent from gullible farmers, he said, “Is there a need for 50 tmc ft reservoirs? TRS leaders may need such large reservoirs, but is it required for the project? Is it technically viable,” the Congress leader asked.
