Congress senior leader and former Rajya Sabha member KVP Ramachandra Rao on Friday addressed an open letter to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy underlining his support for the Musi River Rejuvenation Project and describing it “as one of the most cherished projects of the Congress party”. However, decrying opposition leaders’ attempts to ‘corner’ the Chief Minister with their demands to raze the farmhouse of his own family at Aziz Nagar, Rao stated that any portion of the farmhouse, if situated within the buffer zone or full tank level, should be demolished. In this context, he offered to comply with the law and wanted the officials concerned to inspect his farmhouse. “If the structure falls under their markings, my family will demolish them within 48 hours at our own cost”, he stated. Seeking transparency in the operation, he urged officials to inform him of the dates when the markings would be carried out so that he could invite the opposition leaders who had making allegations against him to witness the process.
The letter reads:
Dear Mr Revanth Reddy,
“I will wholeheartedly support every program and scheme undertaken by the Congress government and strive to implement them with sincerity. Although it is regrettable to have to convey this to a Congress Chief Minister today, it cannot be avoided.
“The Musi River Rejuvenation Project is one of the most cherished projects of the Congress party. I clearly remember that when the Congress government was formed under Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in 2004, special attention was given to the Musi River rejuvenation program. Renowned architect Hafeez Contractor was invited to suggest a way for the Musi rejuvenation. I was also a key participant in those discussions.
“On August 24, 2005, a scheme called ‘Save Musi’ was launched at an estimated cost of Rs 908 crore through YS.
However, due to priorities such as free electricity for agriculture, subsidies for farmers, loan waivers, prevention of farmer suicides, and free medical services under the Rajiv Arogyasree scheme for the poor, along with significant irrigation projects, the Congress government decided to utilize financial resources carefully and not burden future generations with debt.
“Understanding that significant funds were necessary to provide satisfactory resettlement for every poor/middle-class individual affected by the Musi rejuvenation and to restore the river to its former state; the Congress government could not continue the project. Although YS had a strong desire to implement it effectively in the subsequent term, this could not happen due to his untimely death.
“In January 2020, while serving as a Member of Parliament, I registered as a voter in the Nereducharla Municipal Corporation as per party directives. During the Municipal Corporation president elections, I visited Nereducharla twice with then PCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy. I learned in detail about the polluted Musi waters, the problems faced by the local people, and the need for rejuvenation. I felt deep regret that this rejuvenation could not be initiated during YS’s tenure.
“Therefore, I fully welcome and support the Musi rejuvenation/beautification initiative now undertaken by the Congress government under your leadership. In fact, I suggested that it would be beneficial for the government to carry out the Musi rejuvenation in the first phase and the beautification in the second phase. However, noting your interest, vision, and competence, I have faith that this matter will be considered. As a disciplined Congress worker, I welcome all development works undertaken by our government that do not harm the poor.
“In this project, both BRS and BJP leaders, along with their supportive media, speak of injustice to the poor, but all of this is to protect their self-interests. The welfare and development of Dalits, tribals, backward classes, minorities, and the poor is the fundamental principle of the Congress party. The attempts by the Opposition to undermine your aspirations are merely crocodile tears, which the people of the country are aware of. I also condemn their efforts to thwart your goals.
“Regarding the farmhouse owned by my family in Aziz Nagar, opposition leaders are repeatedly making allegations for their own selfish interests, attempting to put a gun to your shoulder and shoot me, thus trying to corner you. It deeply distresses me as a disciplined Congress worker that the opposition uses me and the farmhouse in my family’s name to make baseless accusations against you and our party.
– KVP Ramachandra Rao
