Why Does CM Love Pharma Companies So Much, Asks BJP

Mahabubnagar MP D K Aruna, of the BJP, today asked why Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had so much love for pharma companies, even though the villagers of the State were refusing to give up their lands for the companies.

Aruna and another MP Etala Rajender, and other party senior leaders met 16 persons who are lodged in the district jail in connection with the Lagacharla case, in Sangareddy.

Speaking to the media later, Aruna said that the villagers had been agitating for the last eight months that their lands should not be given to the pharma company in Lagacharla village.

"The farmers turned angry when the authorities tried to forcibly take away their lands despite that. They boycotted the public hearing. If Vikarabad district Collector Prateek Jain did not actually come for the public hearing, why did he go alone and take part in it?" she asked.

Aruna alleged that the attack on the Collector took place due to the failure of the police. She also added that the farmers were highly proviked by then.

"Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's brother had scared the farmers in the village. Then, the police came to the village in the night and attacked the villagers. They arrested all those there except Congress workers," she alleged.

Aruna claimed that the farmers were being threatened with violence and made to sign forcibly.

"Is the pharma company important to you than the people who voted you into power?" she asked, and demanded the immediate release of the victims of Lagacharla.

Etala Rajender said that Section 144 had been imposed to prevent the people's representatives from going to the Lagacharla village. He alleged that the attacks were carried out in a planned manner by Congress leaders, and demanded that the State government tender an unconditional apology to the victims and release them.

"Action should be taken against the policemen who behaved in a vicious manner and used third degree methods. It is one thing for the government to take land for public purposes. But what's the reason behind handing it over to big companies?" he asked.