HYDERABAD: A serious controversy is brewing over installation of the former chief minister YS Rajaekhara Reddy’s statue in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) head office.
Perhaps, for the first time in the history of the state a statue of a former chief minister is going to be installed in a government department.
But rules say, installing of statues of political leaders in state government offices are prohibited.
It might lead to all political parties wanting to install statues of their leaders in the future.
With works for installation carrying at a brisk pace, corporators belonging to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are vehemently opposing its installation.
Earlier, the GHMC Standing Committee chaired by the mayor Banda Karthika Reddy took a decision to install the statue.
But after a series of protests from TDP corporators, it was decided put the statue proposal on hold.
Instead it was decided to put portraits of national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi in the Council hall and BR Ambedkar at the entrance of the GHMC office. However, it is alleged that the mayor and Congress corporators have internally decided to go ahead.
“We are not against the late chief minister or any other politician.
What we want is installation of statues of national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, BR Ambedkar and Jyoti Rao Phule, who sacrificed their lives for the sake of nation,” TDP floor leader Singireddy Srinivas Reddy said.
He added that the mayor should have discussed with all parties before going ahead with the decision.
BJP floor leader, Bangari Prakash said there were government orders against installing of statues in government offices.
Senior GHMC officials are tight-lipped about the issue because of fear of backlash from the ruling party.
However, Congress corporators feel the former chief minister was instrumental in developing the city on international standards and hence deserves to be honoured.
bachanjeet@expressbuzz.com