HYDERABAD: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) has strongly criticised the closure of a tea stall in Sircilla, calling it a politically motivated action. The stall’s owner, Srinivas, claims officials forced the shutdown after he refused to remove KTR’s photograph.

The district collector reportedly ordered the closure due to the absence of a valid trade licence. However, Srinivas insists authorities targeted him for political reasons. He has run the stall near Bathukamma Kunta for four years, relying on it as his primary source of income.

KTR condemned the move on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Everything shall be remembered… No one will be spared.” He accused the district collector of intolerance and questioned the decision’s legitimacy.

Municipal authorities maintain that the closure resulted solely from the lack of proper licensing. However, Srinivas argues that officials initially demanded the removal of KTR’s image. When he refused, they shut down his stall.

The incident has sparked debate over whether political motives influenced the decision. Observers are also raising concerns about how authorities enforce trade regulations and treat small business owners.