Hyderabad: Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao on Friday opposed Musi house demolition that could displace poor and middle-class families, even as he said the party supported the Musi River rejuvenation project.
Speaking to reporters, Rao clarified that the BJP did not oppose the government’s Musi development plan. However, he insisted that any redevelopment must protect residents living along the river.
He specifically referred to colonies such as Madhuban Park and Vighneshwar Colony. According to him, development could not be justified if families lost their homes.
Rao also accused Congress leaders of misrepresenting the BJP’s position. He said Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Minister Ponnam Prabhakar wrongly suggested that the BJP opposed the Musi initiative.
Instead, he said the party objected only to Musi house demolition that could uproot residents in the name of redevelopment.
Musi house demolition debate raises rehabilitation demand
Rao said the BJP supported urban renewal only after rehabilitation of affected families. Therefore, he urged the Telangana government to ensure resettlement before any demolition.
He cited the Sabarmati riverfront project implemented when Narendra Modi was Gujarat Chief Minister. According to Rao, that project moved forward only after displaced families received alternative housing.
He said the Telangana government should adopt a similar approach. As a result, he argued that rehabilitation must precede any action along the Musi riverbanks.
Rao added that the BJP had no objection to construction under the project. He said the party would not object even if the government built a massive Mahatma Gandhi statue or developed a Gandhi Sarovar.
Even so, he stressed that no family should be left homeless because of beautification plans.
The BJP leader repeated that his party was not against development. Instead, he said the BJP opposed Musi house demolition that ignored resettlement and rehabilitation.
Rao also addressed concerns over fuel supply linked to global tensions. He dismissed fears of shortages and said India sourced crude oil from several countries.
He added that the Centre had ensured uninterrupted supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. Therefore, he said there was no immediate cause for alarm over fuel availability.
The remarks placed the BJP’s position on record as conditional support for the Musi project. While the party backed river rejuvenation, it insisted that rehabilitation must come before any eviction.
