‘Congress, BJP together in Telangana’: KTR says Centre ignoring high-profile scams, shielding CM Revanth Reddy

Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) accused the BJP-led Central government of acting as a protective shield for chief minister A Revanth Reddy, suggesting that the BJP is intentionally overlooking a series of corruption cases and scams under the Congress government in Telangana.

KTR claimed that while the BJP has been vocally attacking Congress across the nation, its leaders in Telangana have been silently providing cover to the State’s Congress leadership, particularly CM Revanth.

‘BJP failed to take action on several scams’

KTR’s accusations primarily focused on several high-profile scams that he alleged were being shielded by the Central government. He pointed to the Amrut Tenders Scam and the Civil Supplies Scam, in which the Central government funds were misused, and the involvement of Congress CM Revanth Reddy's family, yet, the BJP central government has failed to take action.

KTR emphasised that despite repeated complaints, including submissions of evidence to the central government, there has been an eerie silence from the ruling party in Delhi regarding these allegations. He also accused the BJP of protecting the corrupt practices in the state for political convenience.

‘Amrut Scheme Scam’

KTR was particularly vocal about the alleged Amrut Scheme Scam, in which he claimed that CM Revanth Reddy used Rs 1,337 crore from the central urban development and municipal funds.

These funds were allegedly misappropriated to benefit Reddy’s personal interests through his brother-in-law. Despite submitting full details of the scam to the Central government, including critical evidence, KTR stated that the BJP had not responded or taken any action so far.

‘No action on raids on minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy’

KTR also drew attention to the raids on Congress minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. Reports had surfaced that the ED had seized large amounts of cash and assets from the minister.

Despite the significant nature of the findings, KTR pointed out that there had been no official announcements or updates regarding the case from the central government, which is supposed to take action against such matters under its jurisdiction. He questioned why the BJP government in Delhi had remained silent about these developments and had failed to comment on the situation.

In addition, he highlighted the alleged Civil Supplies Scam, where funds meant for public distribution systems were allegedly diverted for personal gain. KTR also referenced the Sunkishala Project incident, where the retaining wall collapsed, as well as the recent SLBC Tunnel Disaster.

Despite the gravity of these incidents, KTR pointed out that the BJP government had failed to respond or initiate any investigation. He said in the past with the Kalashwaram Project disaster, which had sparked an immediate response from the central government.

He added that the people of Telangana are aware of the central government’s reluctance to act against the Congress government in the state, which raises doubts about the BJP’s intentions.

‘BJP, Congress working together in Telangana’

KTR also raised doubt about Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the BJP, stating that while the Congress leader has been consistently attacking the BJP at a national level, it is highly ironic that the Congress and the BJP appear to be working hand-in-hand in Telangana.

This alliance, KTR argued, was becoming more apparent in the way both parties were managing the state’s governance and covering up corruption scandals.

Political protection for CM Revanth Reddy

One of the most significant accusations KTR made was about the protection being extended to CM Revanth Reddy.

He questioned why the BJP is protecting Reddy, ‘especially when numerous corruption cases have emerged under his leadership.’ “Why is the BJP standing by Revanth Reddy, despite the ongoing corruption scandals?” he asked.

According to KTR, Revanth Reddy’s assurance to the BJP leadership that he would switch parties.

KTR concluded by demanding that if his allegations were false, the Central government should respond swiftly to the corruption cases, particularly regarding the alleged scams and mismanagement under Revanth Reddy’s leadership.

The BRS working president challenged the BJP to prove its sincerity by addressing the corruption allegations and taking corrective action rather than attempting to protect corrupt leaders like Revanth Reddy. He said that the people of Telangana were watching carefully, and their faith in both the Congress and BJP would be severely impacted if they continued to shield the corrupt elements in the government.

In a direct challenge to the BJP, KTR demanded that the central government clarify its position on the issue and stop turning a blind eye to the corruption under the Congress regime. If the BJP truly believed in fighting corruption, KTR stated, it should begin by taking action against the wrongdoings of Congress leaders in Telangana, particularly Revanth Reddy, he said.