ORR Lease: BRS Leaders Anxious Over CM’s Action

With Revanth Reddy-led Congress government swinging into action, the BRS leaders have become anxious over raids and arrests. 

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had allocated portfolios to 11 ministers but retained the Home and municipal administration wings to himself, leading to a debate on the decisions he is likely to take relating to the two wings, in the wake of allegations by the Congress over rampant corruption.

Revanth had completed review meetings with the electricity and the transport departments. 

The BRS leaders are worried over who would be targeted once Revanth holds the review meetings of both the above wings. There is heavy discussion on whether Revanth Reddy would continue to retain the two wings or give it to others during the Cabinet expansion.

In the past, Revanth Reddy alleged that the government had leased out the maintenance of the Outer Ring Road (ORR) to a Maharashtra-based private company for dirt cheap rate, in violation of the government rules. He demanded that the BRS government should make public the details of the agreement but without any response, he even took the RTI route. However, without any reaction from the government even then, he moved the High Court and the matter is sub-judice. 

As the entire issue falls under the purview of the municipal administration department, the BRS leaders are worried over the consequences in the coming days.

At that time, Revanth Reddy followed the ORR lease agreement closely and even confronted the BRS government on the issue. The HMDA also issued a legal notice. 

It has to be seen what type of action or inquiry the CM would order into the issue.