Hyderabad: A major political controversy was sparked by Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy when he said that the HYDRAA, a state agency anti-encroachment drive in Hyderabad, was inspired by Adolf Hitler.
Reddy said the name itself was inspired by Hitler, while speaking about HYDRAA and its functioning,
“I have taken inspiration from Hitler and named it HYDRAA,” the CM said, while also claiming that “Hydra” was Hitler’s favourite word and associated with Hitler’s inner circle ‘who could assassinate anyone’, as reported by Republic TV.
The BJP was quick to hit back. The party accused the Congress leader of displaying an “authoritarian mindset” and
demanded an unconditional apology to the people of Telangana.
Criticism has also been revived on HYDRAA’s powers and its demolition drives across Hyderabad, following the row.
The BJP questioned why a democratic government would invoke Hitler while defending a state institution.
Reddy was accused of openly displaying a “Hitler and Emergency mindset” by Union minister G Kishan Reddy, who demanded an apology.
Invoking Hitler while defending government action sends the wrong message and reflects an authoritarian approach toward governance, BJP leaders said.
The government was using HYDRAA to target ordinary citizens under the guise of anti-encroachment drives, the BJP’s state unit alleged.
The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) was established by the Telangana government in July 2024 to tackle encroachments, protect lakes and public lands, and oversee disaster management.
It has been given powers to act against illegal constructions, particularly around water bodies, government land, parks and open spaces across Hyderabad and adjoining districts.
HYDRAA’s demolition drives have, however, repeatedly triggered protests, legal challenges and allegations of excessive authority, with critics accusing it of functioning like a “bulldozer administration.”