Hyderabad: As expected, demolition of encroachments on nalas and illegal structures has led to a blame game involving leaders of all political hues. While the ruling TRS welcomed the demolition of encroachments on nalas and illegal constructions, the Opposition wants the government to begin from the top.
The TS BJP alleged that many encroachers joined the TRS to save their skin even as TRS MLA K.P. Vivekanand, who had joined the ruling party from the TD, welcomed the demolition of encroachments along and over the nalas in his constituency and other places.
Mr Vivekanand, who himself had to face demolition of his properties on orders from High Court in April, had to personally supervise the razing of structures along the nalas in his constituency.
“People are happy over demolition of illegal structures along the nalas. Due to encroachments by builders, house owners suffered and many houses were inundated and damaged. The displaced poor will be provided 2BHK houses,” he said. The MLA also urged builders to cooperate with the government in removal of illegal structures.
Though there were reports of some corporators objecting to demolitions, a majority of TRS leaders have fallen in line, though hesitatingly. “We will face music later,” said a TRS leader.
However, TS BJP president K. Laxman accused the TRS government of trying to bulldoze the Opposition when cornered on the tardy relief operations in the city and other parts of state.
“Actions of previous governments are wrong. But what has this government done? Has it not regularised illegal constructions? Did not encroachers and land grabbers join TRS to save their skin? Panchayat gave permission for G+2. Why were revenue and HMDA officials silent when illegal structures were constructed? The poor and middle classes shelled out their life savings into properties that are now facing demolitions,” he said.
TD leader K. Dayakar Reddy, Congress leader Mallu Ravi, BJP leader Sridhar Reddy and other Opposition leaders want the government to begin “operation demolition” from the top to send the right message.
