HYDERABAD: BRS leader Balka Suman on Wednesday courted another controversy by urging pink party workers to take up “militant activities and burn Singareni Bhavan”, sparking widespread condemnation by political parties, which ultimately led to the registration of a police case against the former Chennur MLA.
On Tuesday, while addressing a party meeting in Hyderabad, Suman had called upon BRS cadre to take up “militant activities”.
“Take up militant activity in Mandamarri and burn the Singareni General Manager’s office. If we take up such activities, we may go to jail for one month. Burn the Singareni Bhavan in Hyderabad. We have many railway lines in our area -- cut off railway tracks and organise a rail roko,” Suman told party workers.
When a worker asked about funds to carry out such activities, Suman replied that “money would come quickly if one office is burnt”.
A video clipping from his speech went viral on social media on Wednesday, leading to leaders of both the ruling Congress in the state and BJP slamming the BRS leader for his “irresponsible” comments.
Congress workers also lodged a police complaint, based on which the Nampally police registered a case against Suman on Wednesday.
This is not the first time the BRS leader has found himself at the centre of a controversy. Back in February, he was arrested, and later released on bail, in connection with a stone-pelting case during municipal elections.
Reacting to Suman’s remarks, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that the controversial video would be sent to the police and railway authorities for stern action against the BRS leader.
“Singareni Collieries Company Limited is like a mother to Telangana and calling for burning of its offices was unfair. Suman spoke like a political fanatic,” the minister added.
Union Coal & Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy slammed Suman for passing “irresponsible” comments. It was wrong on the BRS leader’s part to call for burning of Singareni buildings and damaging railway tracks, he said and alleged that such statements were aimed at provoking youth to indulge in violence and destruction.
The Union minister also alleged that the BRS leaders have become increasingly frustrated after losing power. Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar also condemned Suman’s remarks.
Suman, meanwhile, went into damage control mode, claiming that only a portion of his speech was highlighted on social media.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, the BRS leader said that he had only called upon people to fight against the failures of the Congress government. “Out of my 30-minute speech, only 30 seconds of video was taken and made viral,” he said.
