Harish Rao Detained After Scuffle Outside Telangana Bhavan Amid Political Standoff
A political confrontation between the ruling Congress government and the opposition BRS over Telangana's debt and alleged irregularities in Gurukul school tenders escalated into tense scenes in Hyderabad on Thursday, with former minister Harish Rao and several other BRS leaders being detained by police outside Telangana Bhavan.
The situation turned volatile after police stopped BRS leaders from proceeding towards Gun Park, where they intended to participate in what the party described as a public discussion on the allegations. During the confrontation, a scuffle broke out between police personnel and BRS workers, and Harish Rao fell to the ground amid the pushing and jostling. Images of the incident later circulated widely on social media.
According to the BRS, the proposed discussion centred on two issues that have dominated recent political exchanges in the state: Telangana's debt burden and alleged irregularities in tenders related to Gurukul schools.
Police Stop BRS Leaders Outside Telangana Bhavan
On Thursday morning, senior BRS leaders, including working president K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), former minister Harish Rao, RS Praveen Kumar and Srinivas Goud, assembled at Telangana Bhavan.
While KTR remained at the party office awaiting Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, who had challenged the opposition to a discussion on the state's finances, Harish Rao and his team set out for Gun Park to participate in a discussion concerning the Gurukul tender allegations.
Police, however, prevented the leaders from leaving Telangana Bhavan, blocking them at the entrance itself. Security personnel had taken control of the areas surrounding Telangana Bhavan, Gun Park and the Amaraveerula Stupam as a precautionary measure.
As supporters of both political parties gathered in large numbers, tensions increased and pushing ensued. Police subsequently resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd. During the commotion, Harish Rao lost his balance and fell to the ground.
Police personnel immediately helped him back to his feet before escorting him, along with RS Praveen Kumar and Srinivas Goud, into police vehicles. The leaders were then taken to police stations.
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Harish Rao Accuses Government of Preventing Debate
Speaking to the media before being taken away, Harish Rao criticised the Congress government, alleging that it had prevented the opposition from participating in a discussion despite the ruling party having issued the original challenge.
He said the BRS leaders had not come to create a confrontation but to hold a public discussion. According to Harish Rao, the party was carrying documentary evidence relating to the alleged irregularities in Gurukul tenders.
He further alleged that Congress ministers had initially challenged the opposition to a debate but later deployed police to stop them from participating, describing the government's actions as unacceptable.
Political Tensions Continue
The developments marked another episode in the ongoing political dispute between the Congress government and the BRS over governance and financial issues in Telangana. The disagreement over the state's debt position and the allegations surrounding Gurukul school tenders has led to repeated exchanges between leaders of both parties in recent days.
Thursday's detentions and the confrontation outside Telangana Bhavan underscored the sharp political divisions surrounding the proposed public discussions, with both sides continuing to accuse each other over the handling of the issues.