Hyderabad: Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy on Monday accused the Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of intentionally distorting Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's remarks on the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA). He urged all political parties to recognize that protecting Hyderabad and its water bodies is a collective responsibility.
Background of the Controversy
Speaking at a conclave in Bengaluru recently, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy highlighted HYDRAA's structured and effective functioning in safeguarding lakes, ponds, government lands, nalas, and the Musi river from encroachments. The opposition, however, claimed that the Chief Minister praised dictator Adolf Hitler of Germany, a charge Kiran Reddy strongly refuted.
“The CM did not praise Hitler. HYDRAA was introduced to address Hyderabad’s flooding and urban challenges and to protect lakes from encroachments,” Kiran Reddy clarified.
HYDRAA's Origin and Purpose
The Congress MP explained that HYDRAA was established after Revanth Reddy, during his tenure as Malkajgiri MP, witnessed the hardships faced by residents in flood-prone areas. The agency aims to mitigate urban flooding and protect the city's natural water bodies from illegal encroachments.
Political Allegations
Kiran Reddy accused the BRS and BJP of creating a needless political controversy to tarnish the Chief Minister's image. He urged all political parties to support HYDRAA in the larger interest of Hyderabad's development and environmental protection.
“Politics can continue, but protecting Hyderabad is a collective responsibility. HYDRAA has benefited lakhs of people and should be supported by all,” he claimed.
