No govt homes if you hold BJP flags: TRS MLA threatens to strike off names

“Once the flats get constructed, name your colony as KCR colony and we will provide all facilities,” the MLA said.

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Are government schemes only meant for supporters of the ruling party? That’s what a TRS MLA implied at a public meeting in her constituency. Koca Laxmi was speaking at a programme in Asifabad in Telangana, where she threatened that anyone holding BJP flags will find their names struck off the list for a government scheme providing pucca houses to the poor.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone for a building under the 2BHK housing scheme, Laxmi said, “Once the flats get constructed, name your colony as KCR colony and we will provide all facilities. But if any of you from now onwards is seen with a BJP flag, we will strike your name off from the scheme.”

TRS MLA Kova Lakshmi's diktat, "No 2BHK Houses for those who brandish BJP flag". BJP takes strong objection on the threat, say "Its not KCR's private property, but Telangana Govt's welfare scheme for everyone in state." pic.twitter.com/n53AcnFxGe November 17, 2017

The 2BHK housing programme is a flagship scheme of the TRS government in Telangana, through which the government provides pucca houses to those who don’t own houses in the state. The scheme with its seemingly extensive outreach is delivering the dream of pucca house to several poor families.

Predictable, the MLA’s statement has irked the BJP, who have called it discriminatory political practice.

Lashing out at the TRS, Telangana BJP spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao accused the ruling party of “coaching” their lawmakers to suppress the BJP in the state.

"Her statements are astonishing and a threat to the democratic spirit. How can a responsible lawmaker threaten the people based on their political affiliation?" he asked.

While stating that welfare schemes are not being run by the funds of KCR but by the public money, Krishna Saagar said, "Nearly half of the scheme (50%) is supported by the Union government led by BJP. How can they say it is solely their programme?”

Despite multiple attempts, TNM could not reach Kova Laxmi for her comment on the issue.