Oh no, pity won’t save you from the arrogance of power. Your swagger won’t work in the agency areas. You’re treating Bhadradri Kothagudem District Dummugudem and Tekulapally seats like general seats and the Zilla Parishad chairmanship as though it’s a general post too. Are you people’s representatives or slaves? Because of you, the slogan ‘Remove Congress, Save the Agency’ will begin. If necessary, we will approach the courts. These were the strong words of Punem Pradeep Kumar, Telangana State Secretary of the Human Rights Protection Organization and tribal leader from Bhadrachalam.
He expressed anguish, stating that an unprecedented situation has arisen in Bhadradri Kothagudem District. The district falls under the Fifth Schedule – Agency Area, where the Constitution clearly grants all rights to tribal communities. Yet, for the first time, the ZPTC seats of Dummugudem and Tekulapally mandals have been allotted as general seats. He alleged that Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy’s hand is behind this, manipulating the system to install one of his OC (upper caste) followers as ZP Chairman, thereby trampling upon the rights, existence and sentiments of tribals. He warned that if such authoritarian practices are not stopped immediately, there will come a day when you and your government will collapse under the might of tribal resistance. He reminded that the district has four tribal constituencies and even the Parliament seat belongs to the tribals. In such a region, by deceiving tribals and stealing their rightful opportunities, Ponguleti has laid the foundation for his own downfall.
He further condemned the silence of current MLAs and MPs, accusing them of acting like Ponguleti’s slaves and betraying the community. He warned that history will remember them as traitors if they fail to speak up. He urged public representatives to immediately bring this matter to the Chief Minister’s notice and ensure that, as in the past, these seats remain reserved for tribals. Otherwise, he cautioned, the ruling party will face defeat in the coming elections. He added that Ponguleti seems unable to understand the difference between agency areas and plains, and yet the officials are blindly following his words without proper evaluation. People believe some political leaders are mocking both the laws and tribal communities for selfish gain. He warned that the day is near when they will have to pay a heavy price for such betrayal. ‘If necessary, we will approach the courts and teach you a fitting lesson’, he declared.