CPM alleges political vendetta in survey at KCR's residence
The CPM Telangana state committee demanded that the inquiry ordered by the government on the Assembly floor into 22A prohibited lands, 'Dharani' irregularities and land encroachments be conducted transparently, not as partial or vendetta-driven action. Speaking to reporters in Hyderabad on Friday, state secretary John Wesley said instead of surveys at KCR's residence, illegal assigned, Bhoodan, Waqf and forest lands held by Congress and BJP representatives and corporates must be probed and seized. He sought inquiries into 308 acres in Konduru and Kondareddipalli linked to CM Revanth Reddy's family, Rs 200 crore worth of land allotted cheaply to his brother's 'Tesseract' company, and 30% commissions in 22A exemptions.
Source
Namasthe Telangana · read the original report ↗
Desk check · some claims need care
What the desk checked (5)
- CPM Telangana state committee demanded that the probe ordered into 22A prohibited lands, Dharani irregularities and land encroachments be transparent, not partial or vendetta-driven. — Attributed to the CPM state committee in the source; a demand, not a verified fact.
- Surveys are being conducted at KCR's residence out of political vendetta. — Allegation attributed to CPM state secretary John Wesley; no supporting evidence or official confirmation in the source.
- CM Revanth Reddy's family holds 308 acres in Konduru and Kondareddipalli villages. — Figure appears in source as John Wesley's claim; unverified and no government response included.
- Lands worth Rs 200 crore were allotted at a low price to the CM's brother's company 'Tesseract'. — Allegation attributed to John Wesley; no documentation or official confirmation cited.
- 30% commissions were taken in the name of 22A exemptions. — Unsubstantiated allegation attributed to John Wesley; source gives no evidence or rebuttal.
Analysts’ view opinion
The CPM has picked its ground carefully: rather than opposing the land inquiry, it demands the inquiry be widened — a move that pressures the Congress government on charges of selective targeting without appearing to simply defend the BRS. Calling the survey at KCR's residence political vendetta indirectly strengthens the BRS narrative, but by naming the Chief Minister's family land and alleged commissions in the same breath, the Left preserves its independent voice.
- Demanding transparency and equal application, rather than rejecting the probe outright, is a low-risk position that gives the CPM moral high ground.
- Bracketing Congress and BJP representatives together with corporates keeps the Left equidistant from both major parties, consistent with its traditional positioning.
- Raising the CM's family land and his brother's company shifts the attack to a personal register, designed to force a denial or clarification from Congress.
- The focus on assigned, bhoodan, forest and waqf lands speaks directly to the CPM's core constituency of poor and landless farmers.
- Having begun on the floor of the assembly, the issue is likely to shape state political debate around land disputes and opposition alignment.
What to watch — Whether the Congress government widens the inquiry's scope or keeps it centred on the BRS will determine the next political turn.
The story records the CPM's demands and allegations only; it does not establish their veracity, nor does it carry any response from the government or the individuals named.
Deep dive
Research brief · 8 facts · 4 dates · exam-readyThe brief
Context
The Telangana government has ordered an inquiry, announced on the floor of the Assembly, into 22A prohibited lands, irregularities in the 'Dharani' land records portal and land encroachments. As part of this exercise, surveys were conducted at the residence of former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR). The CPM's Telangana state committee has objected, saying the probe appears selective and vendetta-driven, and has demanded it be widened to cover ruling-party and BJP representatives as well as corporates. The party has also sought inquiries into land dealings linked to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's family.
Key facts
- The CPM Telangana state committee demanded that the government-ordered inquiry into 22A prohibited lands, 'Dharani' irregularities and land encroachments be conducted transparently and not as partial or vendetta-driven action.
- CPM Telangana state secretary John Wesley made the demand while speaking to reporters in Hyderabad on Friday (dateline Hyderabad, September 18).
- Wesley alleged that surveys at KCR's residence were being conducted out of political vendetta.
- He demanded immediate inquiry into, and seizure of, illegal assigned, Bhoodan, Waqf and forest lands held by ruling Congress and BJP public representatives and corporates.
- He sought an inquiry into 308 acres of land in Konduru and Kondareddipalli villages linked to CM Revanth Reddy's family.
- He alleged land worth Rs 200 crore was allotted at a low price to the 'Tesseract' company belonging to the Chief Minister's brother.
- He demanded an inquiry into alleged 30% commissions taken in the name of 22A exemptions.
- The inquiry into 22A lands, Dharani irregularities and encroachments was ordered by the government on the floor of the Assembly.
Timeline
- Not dated in the sourceGovernment orders inquiry on the Assembly floor into 22A prohibited lands, 'Dharani' irregularities and land encroachments.
- Before September 18 (date not stated)Surveys conducted at KCR's residence as part of the land inquiry.
- Friday, September 18 (Hyderabad dateline)CPM state secretary John Wesley addresses reporters, alleges political vendetta and demands a wider, transparent probe.
- September 19, 2026, 05:44 AM ISTReport published.
Who has a stake
- CPM Telangana state committee / state secretary John Wesley — Demanding a transparent, non-selective land inquiry; positioning itself against both Congress and BJP on land encroachment.
- K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) — Surveys conducted at his residence; CPM says these are politically motivated.
- Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and family — Facing CPM's demand for probe into 308 acres in Konduru and Kondareddipalli and allotments to his brother's firm.
- 'Tesseract' company (CM's brother's firm) — Alleged to have received land worth Rs 200 crore at a low price; inquiry sought.
- Telangana government / revenue administration — Credibility of the Assembly-ordered inquiry into 22A lands, Dharani and encroachments.
- Congress and BJP public representatives and corporates — CPM wants illegal assigned, Bhoodan, Waqf and forest lands in their possession probed and seized.
Why it matters
Land records and prohibited-property lists in Telangana have become a central political battleground, with each side accusing the other of encroachment and of using state machinery selectively. Whether the Assembly-mandated inquiry covers all parties or only the opposition will shape public trust in the land administration and in the Dharani system itself. The allegations also raise the question of whether 22A exemptions are being traded for commissions.
UPSC angle
Prelims pointers
- Section 22A lists refer to prohibited lands barred from registration; Telangana's inquiry covers 22A prohibited lands.
- 'Dharani' is Telangana's integrated land records and registration portal; alleged irregularities in it are under inquiry.
- Bhoodan lands originate from the Bhoodan (land gift) movement; assigned lands are government lands given to the landless.
- John Wesley is the CPM Telangana state secretary as per the source.
- CPM alleges 308 acres in Konduru and Kondareddipalli villages are linked to CM Revanth Reddy's family.
- CPM alleges Rs 200 crore worth of land was allotted cheaply to 'Tesseract', a firm of the CM's brother.
Mains framing
The CPM's charge in Telangana illustrates how land governance becomes politicised when categories such as 22A prohibited lands, assigned, Bhoodan, Waqf and forest lands overlap with the discretionary power to grant exemptions. The party's core argument is procedural: an inquiry ordered on the floor of the Assembly derives its legitimacy from being comprehensive, yet surveys targeting the residence of former CM KCR while leaving out ruling-party, BJP and corporate holdings suggest selectivity. Its second argument is about conflict of interest, seeking a probe into 308 acres in Konduru and Kondareddipalli linked to the Chief Minister's family, land worth Rs 200 crore allegedly allotted cheaply to his brother's company 'Tesseract', and alleged 30% commissions in 22A exemptions. The implications extend beyond party rivalry: if exemptions can be bought, the prohibited-land list ceases to protect public and welfare-category land, and digital record systems like Dharani inherit rather than correct earlier distortions. The way forward the CPM proposes is uniform application of the inquiry across parties, transparency in its process, and resumption of illegally held assigned, Bhoodan, Waqf and forest lands; the source does not state the government's response.
Key terms
- 22A prohibited lands
- Lands listed as prohibited from registration or alienation; exemptions from this list are alleged in the source to involve 30% commissions.
- Dharani
- Telangana's land records and registration platform; the government-ordered inquiry covers alleged irregularities in it.
- Assigned lands
- Government lands assigned to eligible poor or landless beneficiaries, whose illegal transfer CPM wants probed.
- Bhoodan lands
- Lands donated under the Bhoodan movement for distribution to the landless; listed by CPM among illegally held categories.
- Waqf lands
- Properties dedicated for Muslim religious or charitable purposes; CPM alleges illegal possession by representatives and corporates.
- Tesseract
- Company said in the source to belong to CM Revanth Reddy's brother, alleged to have got Rs 200 crore worth of land cheaply.
Practice questions
- Selective enforcement can undermine the legitimacy of land record reforms. Discuss with reference to the inquiry into 22A prohibited lands and 'Dharani' irregularities in Telangana.
- What are assigned, Bhoodan and Waqf lands, and why do they remain vulnerable to encroachment despite legal protection? Suggest measures for their protection.
- Examine how digitisation of land records can both expose and entrench irregularities, using the Telangana experience as an illustration.
Grounded only in the source report — figures and dates are the source's, not inferred.