Hyderabad: Even as Hyderabad’s municipal corporations await fresh local body elections, a curious trend is playing out across the city: Former corporators are back in the spotlight, laying foundation stones, performing bhoomi poojas and inaugurating civic works as if they never left office.
What has now triggered concern within the municipal administration department is not merely the political optics, but allegations that local officials in some cases are facilitating these events and even sharing the stage with ex-elected representatives. Some local leaders have specifically complained against an assistant engineer for attending foundation programmes conducted by former corporators.
Ex-corporators inaugurating civic works in Hyderabad
Complaints have poured in from areas under the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation (MMC) and Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC), prompting questions over protocol, accountability and political relevance.
With corporators’ terms having ended, several former representatives are allegedly continuing the practice in their erstwhile divisions, claiming ownership of works sanctioned during their tenure.
Sources in the municipal administration department said complaints have been received against former Uppal corporator Ranjitha Parameshwar Reddy and former Cherlapally corporator Bonthu Sridevi for participating in foundation laying ceremonies and inaugurations of civic projects. In the complaints, it was alleged that ex-corporators have been conducting bhoomi poojas for works ranging from cement concrete roads and stormwater drains to other civic infrastructure projects. In some instances, local municipal officials are said to have attended the programmes, lending them official legitimacy.
Specific allegations
In Uppal division, former corporator Ranjitha is alleged to have laid foundation stones for CC roads and stormwater drain works worth around Rs 2.50 crore in Kurmanagar, Uppal and adjoining localities a few weeks ago. She is also said to have launched drainage and CC road works in Satyanagar and Shanti Nagar, estimated at about Rs 1.35 crore, citing commitments made to residents.
Similarly, complaints state that Sridevi initiated works in Pedda Cherlapally, IG Colony and Laxmi Nagar. Sources said similar instances have been reported from parts of Charminar zone and Serilingampally, where former elected representatives have allegedly performed bhoomi poojas for various development works.
“I have not done any groundbreaking ceremony for works after demitting my office in Feb. In some areas like IG colony, locals laid foundation stone for underground works and I was just standing there along with them,” Sridevi told TOI.
Defense by former corporators
The former corporators, however, defend their actions, arguing that the projects being inaugurated today were conceived, pursued and sanctioned during their tenure.
“The state govt has not sanctioned works for the past five years due to paucity of the works and there is no corporator’s budget also. The works, which were recommended by us, few years ago, got sanctioned now. There is nothing wrong in claiming the credit for the works,” a former corporator said.
Political reactions
Opposition leaders have accused the administration of turning a blind eye to the practice. “Some municipal commissioners have failed to stop the ex-corporators from inaugurating and participating in groundbreaking ceremonies as many of them joined the ruling party. This should be stopped immediately,” a BRS MLA from the city said.
