Akbaruddin Owaisi triggers fresh controversy; demands demolition of Narasimha Rao-NTR memorials, BJP-TRS hits back

AIMIM leader and Chandrayangutta MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi triggered a new controversy by demanding demolition of Samadhis of former prime minister PV Narasimha Rao and former chief minister NT Rama Rao near Hussainsagar instead of demolishing houses of poor people.

Speaking at an election meeting in Sultan Nagar, Akbaruddin Owaisi called the PV Ghat and the NTR Ghat as 'encroachments on Hussain Sagar'. 

The ruling TRS and the BJP has condemned the remarks of Owaisi, calling it as 'inappropriate' and demanded an apology from him.

TRS Working President K T Rama Rao said Narasimha Rao and NTR were great personalities who upheld the respect of Telugu people and there was no place for such 'inappropriate comments' in democracy. 

State BJP leader N V Subhash and grandson of Narasimha Rao, condemned the comments of Akbaruddin and said the latter should mend his ways and tender an apology.

On the other hand, Owaisi criticized the government for allegedly targeting the underprivileged while handling encroachments and dared the party to demolish PV Ghat and NTR Ghat which are encroachments on Hussainsagar.

He claimed that the banks of Hussain Sagar lake was spread over 4,700 acres when it was built by Hussain Shah Wali but was now not even 700 acres.

He questioned as to what had happened to the remaining 4,000 acres and whether the space was converted to Necklace Road and samadhis of Narasimha Rao and NTR. 

It may be mentioned that the TRS government is conducting centenary birthday celebrations of Narasimha Rao and had also demanded the installation of his statue in Parliament.

He said that the government is making false promises to appease voters. The government's 'Intensive Household Survey' says that 6.10 lakh families were found eligible for two bedroom flats. Now they are claiming that one lakh houses are ready. Five years have lapsed but the government did not provide them shelter, he pointed out.

The AIMIM leader said thousands of youth lost their jobs during the lockdown. After the lockdown 24 lakh youth applied for jobs in Telangana Public Service Commission. The biggest issues in Hyderabad are unemployment, pollution, sewerage system, and so on, he said

Owaisi added that now TRS promises to provide free drinking water up to 20 thousand litres. If they are concerned about the problems of common people, then they should waive-off electricity bills generated during the lockdown period.