The controversy has surrounded his native village since his 2019 visit, witnessing the implementation of exclusive development incentives for Chintamadaka.
K Chandrashekar Rao, or KCR, Telangana’s chief minister and the BRS supremo, hails from Posanapally in Medak. His parents later relocated to Chintamadaka in Medak (now Siddipet) district because their lands were submerged by the Upper Manair Dam.
Chintamadaka is where KCR was born and raised. His family, part of the zamindar lineage, owned acres of land, making him one of the wealthiest persons in the area. He still exercises his voting rights in this village during elections.
However, controversy has surrounded his native village since a visit by him in 2019, stemming from the exclusive development incentives for Chintamadaka, where some villagers were left out, and neighbouring villagers are expressing dissent.
Chintamadaka lies approximately 20 km from Siddipet town, currently represented by KCR’a nephew, Finance Minister T Harish Rao.
Cement roads stretch from the town to the village, boasting underground drainage. Whether a shopkeeper, labourer, farmer, or homemaker, everyone in the village takes pride in KCR, locally known as Dora, or landlord.
“He was born and brought up among us, and he went on to become the Telangana chief minister,” chorused a group of women chatting in the village.
CM KCR with his family in Chintamadaka, Medak (now Siddipet) district. (Supplied X)
The village proudly displays only BRS flags; no flags from Opposition parties, such as Congress or BJP, have ever been seen here. “Interestingly, no candidates from other parties have contested in the local elections here since the inception of TRS (now BRS),” an MPTC (Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency) official told South First.
But here’s the catch: In 2019, following KCR’s visit, this village became the talk of the town, as chief minister showered his native village with incentives.
The village no longer has thatched houses, and villagers no longer fight over water at the borewell pump, which was once a routine due to water scarcity.
“This is my birth place, which moulded me to become chief minister. I want to pay back to my village and have decided to benefit each family to the tune of ₹10 lakh (Nearly 200 crores) and 2,000 two BHKs. These benefits must be extended to those who migrated from the village, irrespective of their number.“
— KCR during his visit to the village on 22 July, 2019.
He kept his word, with 2,000 two BHKs and ₹10 lakh for each family as part of the exclusive development of his village Chintamdaka, along with five other hamlets, Ankampet, Machapur, Sitarampet, Harishnagar and Shankernagar. As per the 2011 census, Chintamdaka has a population of 2,335 and roughly 850-900 families.
“As a result, 300-400 people have purchased cars, while others have invested in tractors, JCBs, vans, dairy farms, and cattle,” a local reporter told South First.
Since this event, the village has been frequently discussed among neighbouring villagers and in nearby constituencies. Many neighbouring villagers call this village “Chintamadaka Special” or “Golden Nugget”.
“Ever since the 10 lakh announcement and a two BHK has come, this village has become the most sought-after for match-making. As there is a buzz that the scheme will also be extended to the newly married couple who can get the money and a two BHK,” said Suresh, an auto driver.
The village has developed much more than others in this and neighbouring constituencies. The village now boasts cement roads, stable electricity, water, school, and internet.
The sentiment over accruing benefits and “he is native feeling” is robust and intact among all villagers.
When South First interviewed a group of women who worked on KCR’s farmland to discuss current issues and share their thoughts on the chief minister, they expressed unwavering allegiance, stating, “We would never vote for anyone other than KCR.”
They said that other political parties rarely bother to campaign here because it is futile. In fact, there was an instance when a party attempted it but was swiftly ousted by the residents. The women said their sentiment would pass on to their grandchildren, and they should vote only for Dora.
Chintamadaka local villagers sharing their thoughts on Telangana CM KCR.
With a strong push on infrastructure and livelihood, the special fund has helped villagers buy assets and become much stronger financially.
Regarding the ₹10 lakh special fund from the chief minister, 70-year-old Malayya Teergapelli said, “I received ₹10 lakh from KCR and bought a JCB. Many people bought cars, vans, tractors, and machines, and even built their own houses. Some even received cash.”
The 2 BHKs have also been sanctioned in the village and will be constructed by the government. Of the 2,000 houses promised, some 850 have been sanctioned just in this village, the highest compared to any other village.
The local youth, women, and, generally, everyone were cautious about answering our questions. That’s how protective they are of KCR.
However, a woman, Pathuru Ramavva, discussed the double-bedroom house initiative, stating that instead of receiving the promised ₹10 lakh, she was assured a house with all expenses covered by the government. She is yet to receive it.
A few people have not received their house or the ₹10 lakh fund. A rough inspection showed that construction is yet to commence on around 200 houses, while work on another 200 has been halted.
Reddimina Balam and Rajaiah chatting with Pendela Sattaiha at their rented house in Chintamadaka.
A 70-year-old couple, Reddimina Balam and Rajaiah, live in a rented house for ₹800 a month. This couple has applied for the 2 BHK but has been denied allegedly because they have crossed the age limit.
When South First approached the local officials about any age restriction as a criterion while availing the two BHK’s house, the village officials said no such criterion was mentioned for this village as it is considered a special case.
In this village, the criteria for sanctioning the two BHKs followed in other parts of the state is not followed; since it is KCR’s native village, it has been excused.
“I didn’t get either ₹10 lakhs or my own house. We love and respect KCR. He is our village man, but no one is helping me here. I am staying here along with my husband in this one-room house, which is eating my pension amount, as I have other medical expenses, too,” said an emotional Reddimina.
She even appealed to the CM KCR in a Telangana folk-style song.
Pendela Sattaiah, a resident of Chintamadaka, sharing his age as per Aadhar card.
Another elderly man, 61-year-old Pendela Sattaiah, who was accompanying the couple, mentioned that he keeps applying for an old-age pension but gets rejected every time.
Village officials informed him that he is ineligible as he is below 65 years of age. Unable to work due to old age and lacking financial resources, he struggles to make ends meet.
One of the 2018 poll promises made by KCR was to reduce the age eligibility criteria from 65 years to 57 years. In August 2022, KCR announced the reduction of the age limit from 65 years to 57 years; however, this change is not being fully implemented across the state.
Chandragiri Chandraiah, a father of three, relaxing in the evening at the Chowrasta (local square), said he was told to destroy his home as the government would renew it. The house no longer exists, but no brick has been placed on his site. “I am living outside the village now; I have met many officials, and everyone says that it will be done, but, not sure when this will happen.”
Malayya Galla, another villager, stated, “I have just been allocated the site. The house construction has not started yet, and I have no place to live. I need a house.”
An old woman, Lachhamma Boddolu, struggling to walk in Chintamadaka.
The village has only one bus that daily arrives at 7.30 in the morning. The villagers have to go to Siddipet for everything.
With just one bus service, they must travel 3 km from the village to get into an auto or bus to Siddipet. It’s tough for the women who are mostly forced to walk the distance.
Boddolu Lachhamma and her grandson, struggling to walk the long distance with luggage, shared her experience with South First.
Neighbouring villagers harbour a sense of neglect. They do not express it openly to show their respect for Chintamadaka and KCR. But there is a growing conversation within closed circles.
One such conversation was struck when we went to Dubbaka, 7 km from Chintamadaka. Four women discussed the village and how it has become a “Golden Nugget”.
When I inquired, they responded, “KCR has done nothing for us but has done a lot for his village. Except for the pension, I am receiving nothing. If KCR had done this with his personal money, we wouldn’t have had a problem. In fact, we would have appreciated it. But the problem here is that it is done with government money.”
“Did he win because only his villagers elected him? Didn’t we also vote for him? Then why did he do this?” questioned a Muslim woman.
While traveling in an auto near Siddipet
Farmers from another neighbouring village, a kilometre from Chintamadaka, stated, “Look, we are struggling to cultivate our land as we don’t have enough water. The water is available up to Chintamadaka.
“Since ours is an upper-lying area, we don’t have water to hekp farming, and our request is not being heard by the political leaders. As many as 100 farmers with over 500 acres of land here face this issue,” said a farmer. Gundeti Yellayya.
“KCR is my friend. He used to greet me in our childhood. I will vote for him, but these are the problems we are facing,” Yellayya added.
Kotte Balavva, a farming woman in the neighbouring village of Chintamadaka.
Another farming woman, Kotte Balavva, said, “We are farming through bore wells; sometimes there is water, and sometimes there isn’t. Our loans have not been waived to date. I have dug 14 bore wells, and no water came out. At least ₹30-50 thousand is spent on one bore well.
“The Rythu Bandhu is being deposited on time, but how is it sufficient for farm investment? Instead of giving ₹10 lakh for a few, he could have offered two lakhs for all of us.”
The sanctioning of these numerous sops out of love for his native place from government funds is a clear act of bias and misuse of position, many feel, violating the fundamental commitment made during the oath-taking as the chief minister.
With KCR likely to cast his vote here again, the question arises: Will he shower new sops, or will he heed calls for a course correction?
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