Congress Leaders Push for Greater Rangareddy Corporation in Hyderabad
Congress MLAs and party leaders in Hyderabad have launched a fresh demand for the creation of a Greater Rangareddy corporation. This move follows earlier calls for a Secunderabad municipal corporation. The leaders argue that Rangareddy district, once dubbed the state government's cash cow, now faces neglect and identity erosion.
Meeting with Chief Minister Highlights Concerns
Key Congress figures recently gathered at a farmhouse to discuss the proposal. Attendees included MLAs Malreddy Ranga Reddy from Ibrahimpatnam, Kale Yadaiah from Chevella, Prakash Goud from Rajendranagar, and Veerlapalli Shankar from Shadnagar. They were joined by leaders like Madhu Yashki Goud, Kichennagari Laxma Reddy, and district president Challa Narsimha Reddy.
After their internal meeting, the group took their demand directly to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. They presented a case for a separate corporation, criticizing the previous BRS government for what they called an unscientific division of the erstwhile Rangareddy district.
Identity Loss and Electoral Dynamics
The leaders pointed to the division of Rangareddy into three districts: Rangareddy, Medchal-Malkajgiri, and Vikarabad. They claim this move stripped the area of its former prominence. The subsequent expansion of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) further diluted Rangareddy's distinct character.
Currently, Rangareddy district contains six large assembly constituencies. Some of these segments boast between six and eight lakh voters. After proposed delimitation, the number of constituencies could rise to more than a dozen.
An MLA involved in the meeting explained the rationale. The average assembly constituency has about 2.50 lakh to 3 lakh voters. Based on this, we need at least ten more constituencies. A separate greater corporation becomes essential for over a dozen constituencies in Ranga Reddy.
Specific Grievances and Financial Arguments
Ibrahimpatnam MLA Malreddy Ranga Reddy expressed particular dissatisfaction. He highlighted the merger of his constituency into the expanded GHMC. Rangareddy is losing its identity due to new districts and the merger with GHMC, he stated. Notably, about 18,000 acres of the proposed Future City fall within the Ibrahimpatnam assembly constituency.
Another leader made a financial case for the new corporation. If the greater Rangareddy corporation is created, the government will not require additional funds. Rangareddy contributes more revenue to the state. The GHMC already receives significant property tax from RR district segments like Serlingampally and Rajendranagar.
The Congress leaders stressed that the previous government's mistakes should not be repeated. They warned against merging the entire Rangareddy district into Greater Hyderabad. Their demand underscores ongoing tensions over urban governance and regional identity in Telangana's capital region.
