Formula E Race: Let’s discuss this in assembly, KTR writes to CM Revanth

Hyderabad: If you have the courage, let’s discuss on the Formula E race in the Assembly, wrote BRS working president and MLA KT Rama Rao (KTR) in an open letter to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, a day after the Cabinet approved an inquiry into alleged irregularities.

In a Cabinet meeting held at the Assembly Committee Hall-1, Telangana Legislative Assembly, on Monday, Telangana I&PR Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy stated that a thorough discussion was conducted regarding the alleged irregularities in the Formula E race.

During the meeting, a decision was made to proceed with an inquiry into former MA&UD minister and BRS party working president KTR.

Further elaborating, the minister explained that Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma had approved the inquiry and granted clearance to the state government. Chief Secretary A Santhi Kumari was authorized to investigate IAS officer Arvind Kumar.

Responding to the Cabinet meeting, KTR issued an open letter urging the ruling party to hold a discussion in the Assembly.

The letter said:

Your government has been making several baseless allegations against the previous BRS government, especially against me, for several months regarding the Formula E race issue. Reports suggest that even in the Cabinet meeting held under your leadership this week, this topic was discussed for about one and a half hours. Additionally, there have been various leaks from the Chief Minister’s Office to the media, hinting at filing cases on this matter and claiming that the Governor has granted approval.

Instead of holding closed-door discussions, the truth about this matter should be presented to the four crore people of Telangana through a debate in the State Assembly. The previous government entered into an agreement with the organizers of the Formula E race with the noble intention of benefiting Telangana state and Hyderabad city.

The race was successfully conducted in 2023, earning praise from all quarters. According to a Nielsen report, the event contributed approximately ₹700 crore to the state’s economy. While another edition of the race was planned for 2024, your government unilaterally canceled it immediately after coming to power.

Since then, as part of your political vendetta, your Congress government has been spreading numerous falsehoods through the media about this race, creating unnecessary doubts among the public. In reality, the Formula E race agreement was completely transparent, and all payments to the organizers were made in a transparent manner.

"I have already explained this in detail earlier. However, your government has not stopped its false propaganda. The people of the state have the right to know the truth. Therefore, I demand that you initiate a discussion on this issue in the Assembly. Let us present all the facts in detail to the people of Telangana through the Assembly platform," wrote KTR.

Since the Assembly session is ongoing, KTR asked Revanth Reddy to schedule the discussion on a day of his convenience. "Once again, I reiterate that there were no irregularities or corruption in the Formula E race issue. This event, which brought goodwill to the state and Hyderabad city, was sacrificed purely due to your political vendetta. A detailed discussion in the Assembly will reveal the truth to everyone," wrote KTR in the letter.