Thanks to the stature of his predecessors - whether BRS’ K Chandrasekhar Rao or erstwhile Andhra Pradesh’s Rajasekhar Rao and Chandrababu Naidu - Telangana CM Revanth Reddy is under pressure to build his own legacy.
Published Sep 07, 2024 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 07, 2024 | 4:36 PM
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When Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy set up Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) in July, he may have laid the foundation for a personal milestone. With every structure HYDRAA pulls down, with every square foot of government land the agency recovers, Revanth Reddy may be inching closer to his milestone.
For over a month now, HYDRAA has been in the news for pulling down encroachments and ‘reclaiming’ government land. Demolishing the homes of the poor under the garb of ‘encroachment clearance’ is common but HYDRAA made headlines when it pulled down a convention centre belonging to a popular Telugu actor, Nagarjuna. That was only one high profile property among several others belonging to politicians, businessmen, celebrities that was taken down by HYDRAA.
While HYDRAA’s actions against the poor and middle class have brought the Congress government in Telangana brickbats, Revanth Reddy finds support from several quarters for refusing to spare the rich and powerful – a rarity in India. His public admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signing an MoU with Gautam Adani who is Congress’ ammunition to attack the BJP has often left cadres confused and the party high command embarrassed. Yet, Revanth Reddy continues to chart his own path.
Why does Revanth Reddy do what he does? It seems the Telangana chief minister is chasing a legacy. It all started when a large group of Reddy’s well wishers met him over a month ago. The discussion veered towards the stark reality – Revanth Reddy lacking the stature that his predecessors have. In all his months as CM of Telangana, Revanth Reddy hadn’t done anything to leave a mark.
Whether it is Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS)’ chief and Telangana’s first CM K Chandrasekhar Rao or erstwhile Andhra Pradesh’s strongman CMs YS Rajasekhara Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu, Revanth Reddy pales in comparison when it comes to legacy, stature and presence. To be fair to Revanth Reddy, the very first time he is part of a cabinet, he is leading it as Chief Minister.
The group of well wishers are said to have pointed to the need for Revanth Reddy to do something radical and impactful, something people would remember him for. Incidentally, in the group was an environmentalist who pointed to Hyderabad’s lost legacy as the city of lakes. 61 percent of Hyderabad’s lake area has shrunk in four decades. Out of the city’s 185 notified lakes, over 40 have dried up, several have turned into a cesspool and the rest have been encroached upon. It was here, supposedly, that the seeds for HYDRAA were sown.
Revanth Reddy finally had that one big impact project that nobody else before him had attempted. In reclaiming government land and going after even the rich and the powerful, Revanth Reddy gets his ‘hero moment’. In a region where consecutive governments have either ignored or been complicit in encroachment of lake areas, Revanth Reddy has the opportunity to emerge as the hero who reclaimed government land. A sure shot path to a legacy.
Several critics of CM Revanth Reddy saw HYDRAA’s actions as vindictive politics or attempts to influence the real estate lobby. The target here, however, is something else.
Among the structures flagged by HYDRAA were properties linked to senior Congress leader Pallam Raju and one belonging to Revanth Reddy’s own brother. The idea is to convey to the public that whether it is a friend or a foe, family or colleague, HYDRAA’s actions will proceed. While Greater Hyderabad Municpal Corporation (GHMC)’s actions against poor and middle class houses drew criticism, Revanth Reddy has been receiving appreciation from several quarters for going after the influential.
Revanth Reddy’s seemingly rash push hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Congress leadership. Even as his baiters – within and outside the party – insist he has been rebuked by the central leadership of his party, Congress insiders suggest the contrary.
In a meeting, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal is said to have asked Revanth Reddy if he was unnecessarily making more enemies. Sure of what he wants, the Telangana chief minister has assured the party of being cautious. When the earthmovers roared at the property linked to former Union minister Pallam Raju’s kin, Sonia Gandhi is said to have asked Revanth Reddy only one question – was due process followed?
While the party cannot dissuade Revanth Reddy from proceeding with his plans, all it can do is insist that course of law is followed.
It is not without reason that Congress doesn’t want to rebuke Revanth Reddy. Congress depends on Karnataka, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh – the states that it is in power – to fund its election expenses. Much like DK Shivakumar in Karnataka, Revanth Reddy is a dependable leader for Congress. He is also someone that KC Venugopal wants to keep in good humour considering the upcoming Assembly elections in Kerala. When he makes the bid to be chief minister candidate in Kerala, KC Venugopal needs a host of strong leaders in the party to back him and Revanth is one among them.
Moreover, Congress cannot afford instability in any of the states that it rules. The slightest hint of a rap to Revanth Reddy could embolden his baiters in Telangana to dissent publicly. That is a mess larger than anything HYDRAA could do for the Congress.
(Edited by Neena)
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