BRS Writes to Governor, Demands Action Against Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy

The political atmosphere in Telangana has turned increasingly volatile as allegations of illegal mining and land encroachment against Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy triggered a sharp confrontation between the ruling Congress and the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) . In a significant move, a delegation of BRS MLAs and MLCs met Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla at Raj Bhavan and submitted documentary evidence pointing to large-scale irregularities linked to the minister and associated entities. The meeting marked a crucial escalation, taking the issue beyond political accusations into a formal constitutional appeal.

Following the meeting, BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) outlined key demands, including the immediate dismissal of the minister, a judicial inquiry led by a High Court judge, and a comprehensive disclosure of mining activities across the state. He argued that allowing the minister to continue in office could influence the probe and expressed lack of trust in state agencies like CB-CID, citing concerns over neutrality since the Home Department is under the Chief Minister.

At the center of the controversy are allegations against Raghava Constructions , a firm reportedly linked to the minister’s family, accused of operating without mandatory clearances and carrying out activities in prohibited zones , including sensitive reservoir catchment areas. The opposition claims that minerals worth hundreds of crores were extracted, causing a major loss to public resources. The issue has also disrupted Assembly proceedings, with protests by BRS legislators leading to suspensions and sparking accusations of undemocratic functioning by the government.

In response, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy ordered a CB-CID probe into mining activities dating back to 2014, expanding the scope to include previous governments. While the Congress maintains that due process is being followed, it has also launched counter-allegations against BRS leaders, turning the issue into a broader political battle. Meanwhile, BRS leaders have intensified demands for an independent investigation, arguing that only a court-monitored probe can ensure fairness and transparency.

The controversy has now evolved into a major political flashpoint, with KTR also questioning the silence of the BJP and challenging the government to order wider probes into other alleged irregularities. Assuring a review of the complaint, the Governor stated that the matter would be examined carefully. With rising tensions and competing claims, the issue is set to remain central to Telangana’s political discourse in the coming days.