KTR Slams Balraju Yadav’s Arrest, Demands Immediate Release

BRS working president and former minister KT Rama Rao (KTR) has strongly condemned the arrest of former corporation chairman Doodimetla Balraju Yadav, accusing the Congress government of misusing police machinery to silence opposition leaders and suppress criticism.

Questioning the registration of a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, KTR asked why a BRS leader should face criminal charges and arrest for questioning allegations made by government representatives and Congress leaders. He said political criticism should be answered politically rather than through police cases and intimidation.

BRS leaders alleged that the case against Balraju Yadav was registered following a press conference in which he spoke about remarks made by Balmuri Venkat against KTR and former minister T. Harish Rao. They maintained that the arrest was politically motivated and described it as an example of the Congress government's alleged authoritarian functioning.

KTR further criticised the manner in which Balraju Yadav was taken around the city following his arrest. He alleged that the police action had caused unnecessary distress and fear among the leader's family members, describing the treatment as unacceptable.

Questioning Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's claims of providing public-oriented governance, KTR asked whether filing cases against those who question the government and arresting opposition leaders was what the Chief Minister meant by Praja Palana. He said the government was attempting to intimidate those who raised their voices against its functioning instead of addressing their questions.

The BRS working president asserted that false cases and arrests would not silence BRS leaders or weaken the party's opposition to the government. He said the right to question those in power was fundamental to democracy and could not be taken away through police action.

KTR demanded that the government immediately withdraw the case against Balraju Yadav and release him unconditionally. He reiterated that democratic criticism should not be treated as an offence and that political opponents must not be targeted for expressing their views.