An intensifying slanging match between the Congress Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K T Rama Rao has come to define Telangana politics these days. The war of words is fought on all fronts: public rallies, social media platforms and in media conferences.
The recent controversy surrounding a police raid on the Janwada farmhouse on the outskirts of Hyderabad, linked to KTR’s family, illustrated how personal attacks are dominating the state's political discourse. The farmhouse raid was rife with sensationalism, wild allegations, rumours, and political mudslinging overshadowing the actual details revealed by the police.
The farmhouse in question belongs to KTR’s brother-in-law and has long been under public scrutiny. Reports quickly surfaced in the media alleging that it was the site of a “rave party” with rampant drug usage. Local media swiftly escalated these claims, circulating unverified details that included the presence of drugs and even asserting that KTR’s spouse was also present. As the story unravelled, it became apparent that initial media coverage might have been orchestrated to embarrass KTR and his family.
Excise permission
The official press release from the police, however, did not support many of the more scandalous claims. It simply stated that a few bottles of both Indian and foreign liquor were found at the venue. According to the statement, one attendee, out of the 60 odd guests, tested positive for cocaine, yet there was no mention of a large drug seizure, nor any indication that a rave party was in progress. Regardless, the authorities filed cases under narcotics, excise, and gaming laws.
Technically, under the Excise Act, permission from the excise authorities is required to serve alcohol, beyond a legally specified limit, at private events, including house parties, a requirement often disregarded. House parties in Telangana rarely involve obtaining a license, making the situation legally ambiguous but socially commonplace. The raid found just five foreign liquor bottles and ten loose IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor) bottles—a minimal amount compared to what could likely be discovered at many similar gatherings in the region, especially in influential circles.
Following the raid, tensions mounted as politicians across party lines leapt at the opportunity to turn the incident into a fierce public debate. Leaders from both the ruling Congress party and the opposition BRS accused each other of harbouring malicious intent.
BRS leaders criticised the Congress for what they described as politically motivated harassment, while Congress leaders pointed to the raid as evidence of the BRS’s moral failings, adding fuel to the ongoing rivalry.
Act of revenge
The Janwada farmhouse itself has a complex history that adds a layer of intrigue to the recent events. In 2020, then Congress leader and current CM Revanth Reddy accused KTR of owning the property under a “benami” arrangement and even attempted to fly a drone over the farmhouse to expose what he alleged was an illegal acquisition.
Reddy was subsequently jailed for 14 days for this drone incident, a punitive measure that many interpreted as BRS retaliating against one of its fiercest political opponents.
In light of this backstory, some speculate that this latest raid is the Congress government’s way of getting even. For those closely following Telangana’s power politics, the situation has echoes of an eye-for-an-eye approach, especially since KTR’s party was known to be aggressive with opposition leaders while it was in power. Accusations of phone tapping and setting up “sting” operations to implicate opponents have been levelled against the BRS over the years.
Now, KTR claims that his party is under a similar attack, with more alleged abuses of power on the horizon. He has publicly stated his concern that his family and other BRS leaders are being specifically targeted by Congress, warning of further “weaponization” of the government apparatus against his party in the run-up to the elections.
Revanth Reddy, however, seems unperturbed by such accusations and has been vocal about his intention to root out BRS influence in Telangana. He vowed to dismantle BRS’s foothold in the state, leveraging this situation as a means of emphasising his government’s commitment to transparency and justice. Reddy’s stance suggests that Congress is prepared to take a hardline approach in its dealings with the opposition, even if it means crossing ethical boundaries.
Politics of vendetta
For Telangana, this escalation of politically motivated actions and responses presents a troubling picture. The state, which emerged with the promise of prosperity, development, and a unique identity, is now being tarnished by a political climate characterized by vendettas and rivalries. The line between law enforcement and political retribution appears to be increasingly blurred, with each side accusing the other of using government resources for personal vendettas.
While the controversy surrounding the Janwada raid could ultimately fade, it highlights a troubling trend in Telangana’s political landscape, one that continues to drift further from the principles of transparency and public service. Voters are left to wonder whether politicians are genuinely committed to the state’s welfare or if their focus is solely on one-upping their rivals.
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