The attack was apparently in retaliation to BRS trying to paint the ₹2 lakh crop loan waiver as a fraud pulled off on farmers.
Published Aug 17, 2024 | 11:27 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 17, 2024 | 11:27 AM
Miscreants attack Telangana MLA Harish Rao's official residence. (Screengrab)
On the intervening night of 16 and 17 August, the official residence and camp office of Siddipet MLA Harish Rao was attacked by a handful of miscreants.
The group descended on the camp office and tore the party banner at the top of the building. In the videos shared by the MLA, the group can be heard shouting slogans supporting the ruling Congress.
On Saturday, 17 August, the police detained a few persons in connection with the attack.
Sharing the videos on X, Harish Rao stated that the “Congress goons’ attack on the Siddipet MLA’s official residence at midnight is an alarming display of lawlessness.”
Further calling out the police inaction, he said, “The police, rather than intervening to prevent this attack, seemingly protected the perpetrators. If an MLA’s residence can be targeted so brazenly, what assurance do citizens have about their own safety?”
The former health minister also alleged that apart from the vandalisation, locks were also broken.
Congress goons attack on the Siddipet MLA’s official residence at midnight is an alarming display of lawlessness. Breaking locks and vandalizing property in such manner is not only undemocratic but also raises serious concerns.
The police, rather than intervening to prevent this… pic.twitter.com/uvSABsumQu
— Harish Rao Thanneeru (@BRSHarish) August 17, 2024
The attack was apparently in retaliation to BRS trying to paint the ₹2 lakh crop loan waiver as a fraud pulled off on farmers.
The former minister is expected to address the press at 1 pm on Saturday.
BRS working president KTR condemning the incident criticised the Congress for the attack, further training his guns at Rahul Gandhi, he questioned, “Is this what your Mohabbat ka Dookan all about Mr Rahul Gandhi?”
Hooligans associated with ruling Congress Vandalised Siddipet MLA @BRSHarish Garu’s official residence
Telangana Congress has opened
“Mohabbat ke Baazaar me Nafrat Ka Dookan”Is this what your Mohabbat ka Dookan all about Mr @RahulGandhi ?
“The self proclaimed saviour of the… pic.twitter.com/sht2Ubi7hg
— KTR (@KTRBRS) August 17, 2024
In an earlier post, KTR wrote, “The last 10 years of Telangana was free from political violence and vendetta politics. Now the Congress party is instigating violence with the active support of police. People of Telangana are watching this low-level, 3rd rate political nonsense of congress & will give a befitting answer in future.”
Strongly condemn the cowardly act of Congress Goons in vandalising the MLA residence of Harish Rao Garu who is one of the senior most legislators
Last 10 years of Telangana was free from political violence and vendetta politics. Now the Congress party is instigating violence… https://t.co/PGZiWZk0oe
— KTR (@KTRBRS) August 17, 2024
Former IPS officer turned politician, RS Praveen Kumar too condemned the attack and noted that, “CM who is holding home minister portfolio must bow his head in shame and quit his post. There’s no guarantee to fundamental rights in Telangana.”
This is height of lawlessness. Congress has been unleashing the culture of goondaism in the state. If MLA’s residence can be vandalised so brazenly, imagine what’s happening to common man in Telangana. @revanth_anumula the CM who is holding home minister portfolio must bow his… https://t.co/xKZH1EsZCf
— Dr.RS Praveen Kumar (@RSPraveenSwaero) August 17, 2024
On Thursday, the Congress government carried out the third and final phase of crop loan waiver with an outlay of ₹5,644.24 crore, which would benefit over 4.46 lakh farmers.
The first phase, with an outgo, was ₹6,098.93 crore, benefited 11,50,193 farmers, while the second phase, with an outlay of ₹6,190.01 crore helped 6,40,823 farmers, an official release earlier said, said.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Thursday,launched a sharp attack on opposition BRS and BJP, challenging Harish Rao to quit his post as the Congress government fulfilled its promise of ₹2 lakh crop loan waiver.
He recalled that Harish Rao had earlier challenged that he would resign from his MLA post if the Congress government implemented the crop loan waiver.
Meanwhile, responding to the loan waiver announced by the Congress government and the comments of CM Reddy, BRS MLA Harish Rao alleged that the chief minister “broke the promise of loan waiver”.
“In our (BRS) first term, we waived ₹1 lakh in loans for 35 lakh farmers, which cost nearly ₹17,000 crore. If the Congress government is really waiving ₹ 2 lakh in loans, how can there be only 22 lakh farmers, and how can it cost just ₹17,869 crore?,” Rao, a former BRS minister, said in a release.
“This shows that your loan waiver promise is a blatant lie. Now that it’s clear, you have deceived the public. Who should resign? Who should take responsibility?” Rao, said.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula, with inputs from Raj Rayasam)
