Meenakshi steps in to douse Kancha bushfire
Hyderabad: With the proposed auction of 400 acres of land at Kancha Gachibowli sparking national outrage, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has stepped in to tame the growing controversy.
In a bid to contain the political fallout and guide the state Congress, AICC minder for Telangana, Meenakshi Natarajan, arrived in Hyderabad on an unscheduled visit on Saturday to mediate and find an ‘acceptable’ solution.
Meenakshi met with the three-member ministerial committee—constituted by chief minister A Revanth Reddy—led by deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka at the state secretariat. Speaking to reporters, she said: “I’ve been part of student politics for a long time and have always stood for people’s movements. The Congress, under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, is firmly committed to protecting the environment and upholding citizens’ rights. I will be meeting university students, civil society groups, JAC members, and eminent citizens to find a solution”.
She later met NSUI members from the University of Hyderabad (UoH) at Gandhi Bhavan, reaffirming the party’s support to the protesting students.
Though originally slated to visit Telangana later in April, Meenakshi’s sudden arrival was seen as a damage control measure in response to increasing criticism over the Congress govt’s handling of the land issue. Her visit followed the Supreme Court’s strong observations against the govt’s actions in the ecologically-sensitive area.
Sources said Meenakshi also briefed Revanth Reddy and the ministerial committee on AICC’s position, though the chief minister’s office has not officially confirmed the meeting.
Public outcry
The controversy escalated after the Telangana govt claimed ownership of the land and announced plans to use it for industrial development, arguing that this would generate jobs for state’s youth. However, the move triggered protests from students, environmentalists, and civil society groups, who say the land forms part of the forested zone adjacent to UoH and is home to rare flora and fauna.
The backlash intensified when bulldozers were sent to the site, drawing condemnation from environmental groups and political opponents, including the BRS and BJP, who accused the Congress govt of destroying an ecological site.
Meanwhile, banners and posters appeared in Delhi, with activists and opposition parties appealing directly to Rahul Gandhi to intervene. The Supreme Court recently directed the Telangana govt to halt all deforestation activity in the area and sought land ownership documents, prompting the formation of the ministerial panel.
In a bid to contain the political fallout and guide the state Congress, AICC minder for Telangana, Meenakshi Natarajan, arrived in Hyderabad on an unscheduled visit on Saturday to mediate and find an ‘acceptable’ solution.
Meenakshi met with the three-member ministerial committee—constituted by chief minister A Revanth Reddy—led by deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka at the state secretariat. Speaking to reporters, she said: “I’ve been part of student politics for a long time and have always stood for people’s movements. The Congress, under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, is firmly committed to protecting the environment and upholding citizens’ rights. I will be meeting university students, civil society groups, JAC members, and eminent citizens to find a solution”.
She later met NSUI members from the University of Hyderabad (UoH) at Gandhi Bhavan, reaffirming the party’s support to the protesting students.
Though originally slated to visit Telangana later in April, Meenakshi’s sudden arrival was seen as a damage control measure in response to increasing criticism over the Congress govt’s handling of the land issue. Her visit followed the Supreme Court’s strong observations against the govt’s actions in the ecologically-sensitive area.
Sources said Meenakshi also briefed Revanth Reddy and the ministerial committee on AICC’s position, though the chief minister’s office has not officially confirmed the meeting.
Public outcry
The controversy escalated after the Telangana govt claimed ownership of the land and announced plans to use it for industrial development, arguing that this would generate jobs for state’s youth. However, the move triggered protests from students, environmentalists, and civil society groups, who say the land forms part of the forested zone adjacent to UoH and is home to rare flora and fauna.
The backlash intensified when bulldozers were sent to the site, drawing condemnation from environmental groups and political opponents, including the BRS and BJP, who accused the Congress govt of destroying an ecological site.
Meanwhile, banners and posters appeared in Delhi, with activists and opposition parties appealing directly to Rahul Gandhi to intervene. The Supreme Court recently directed the Telangana govt to halt all deforestation activity in the area and sought land ownership documents, prompting the formation of the ministerial panel.
