KCR vs HYDRAA: A Political Gamble That Could Backfire?

After a long period of hibernation, the former chief minister of Telangana, KCR stepped out for the massive public meeting in Jagityal last night. He was expectedly aggressive with his choice of words against the Revanth Reddy Government.

Incidentally, the most aggressive comment from KCR came regarding the implementation of HYDRAA project in Hyderabad. He did not react, kindly to this brainchild of Revanth Reddy, which is taking down the illegal constructions across the city. 

KCR publicly announced that he would be removing this HYDRAA project on the very day his BRS comes back to power. “We will definitely come back to power and on the very first day, we will thrash this HYDRAA.”  His exact words in Telugu were “oka Munda HYDRAA ani techindi. Memu raagane Daani ethi Padestham”.

KCR gave the implication the HYDRAA project is troubling the poor section of the public by demolishing their homes. He clearly tried to play it to the masses with this narrative and understandably so as well. 

But, this might not be a straightforward process for KCR as HYDRAA is an official wing of administration. Even at the public level, there is as much going in favour of this demolition drive as there is against it. 

The educated and urban sections of the population might believe that HYDRAA is necessary to curb illegal occupations and encroachments. They may not be as vocal as others, but there could be a strong undercurrent of support for HYDRAA, which might influence voting trends in Hyderabad in the next term.

On the other side, there is no denying the strong wave of negativity around HYDRAA, which could work in KCR’s favour on the political front. With both support and resistance clearly visible, the upcoming polls will ultimately reveal the real public pulse on HYDRAA in Hyderabad.