Bhongir: The political tension between the Government and the BRS party is intensifying, much like the twists and turns of the Musi river. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, after completing the Musi Punarjeeva Sankalpam Yatra at Sangem village in Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district, made a bold statement, saying, “Cinema Abhi Baki hai” (The show is not over yet).
The Chief Minister further announced that he would start another padyatra (foot march) in January, beginning from Wadapally, where the Musi and Krishna rivers meet. He extended an invitation to BRS leaders K T Rama Rao and Harish Rao to join him. In a challenging tone, he added, “Let’s see if people allow them to join or throw them into the Musi river with a rope tied around their waists.”
In response, BRS leader Harish Rao took to his ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter) and expressed his readiness to participate, but suggested the padyatra should start from Hyderabad instead. He criticized the CM for not being democratic, especially on his birthday. Harish Rao also accused the government of arresting BRS workers ahead of the CM’s padyatra in Bhongir district.
During a public meeting after the padyatra, Revanth Reddy reminisced about how the Musi river once provided clean drinking water. He lamented that the river has now become heavily polluted, emitting poisonous gases. He expressed concern for the people living in the Musi catchment area, who are suffering due to the pollution. “The people feel like they have been cursed by God or are facing revenge from the rulers,” he said, adding that many have been asking for the river to be revived.
The CM also pointed out that artisans and fishermen who once depended on the Musi river are now struggling to make a living. He mentioned that crops and dairy products from the region are no longer safe to consume. “People who once lived happily through agriculture and dairy farming are now forced to sell their lands,” he added.
Revanth Reddy thanked the Communist parties for supporting the river revival project. He warned that the pollution in the Musi river poses a greater threat than an atomic bomb, and even claimed that children born in the area are suffering from disabilities due to the high pollution levels.
Taking a jab at former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, Revanth Reddy said, “You cried when your daughter was in jail for three months. Don’t you care about the lives of the people living in the Musi catchment area, who are in danger?”
The CM vowed that the rejuvenation of the Musi river would happen no matter what. He boldly declared that if anyone tries to obstruct the project, they will face the consequences. “I will change my name if the bulldozers don’t move forward. Let ‘Birla and Ranga’ decide the dates if they dare to stop the bulldozers. Our leader Venkanna will sit on the bulldozer, and MLA Samuel will flag it off,” he concluded.
