Cong MLA Donates Rs 2 Crore to Govt to Supply Free Urea to Farmers in His Constituency
Triggers debate over his gunman's urea diversion
Hyderabad: Congress Miryalaguda MLA Bathula Laxma Reddy cancelled the wedding reception of his son and donated Rs 2 crore reportedly meant for the event to the state government to provide free urea to farmers in his constituency. The legislator met Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at his residence on Thursday and handed over a cheque for the amount, requesting that the amount be used to distribute a bag of urea each to one lakh farmers in his constituency free of cost.
Laxma Reddy, accompanied by his son Sai Prasanna and family members. said that the family had planned a grand reception but had decided to forgo the celebrations in view of the hardships faced by farmers due to urea shortage. He stated that the money earmarked for the reception was diverted for a public cause.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy commended the gesture, describing it as a rare example of placing public welfare above personal celebrations. In a statement, the CMO said that the MLA and his family had converted a personal occasion into an opportunity to uplift the farming community.
However, the donation came against the backdrop of recent controversy involving the MLA’s gunman, who allegedly diverted a lorry-load of urea meant for local farmers. Reports suggested that the gunman impersonated the MLA’s personal assistant, misled officials, and pressured them to release the consignment, which was later suspected to have been diverted to the black market. The irregularity surfaced when officials verified records after the MLA raised questions about urea shortage in his constituency. Officials reportedly complained to the MLA about the gunman’s unauthorised interference.
Nalgonda superintendent of police Sharatchandra Pawar had ordered a probe into the incident.
The MLA’s gesture has sparked mixed reactions in political circles. While some hailed it as a noble sacrifice for the welfare of farmers, others speculated that the move was aimed at pacifying the Chief Minister, who was reportedly upset over the urea diversion episode. Regardless of his motive, the donation has a triggered debate, with the MLA’s gesture overshadowed by the controversy surrounding his gunman’s actions.
