SSC Paper Leak: BRS using tactics to scare BJP members, says Etala

Hyderabad: Etala Rajender, MLA of the Huzurabad constituency, who was served a notice by the Warangal police in connection with the SSC Hindi paper leak case, said that BRS is trying to create fear among BJP members by arresting Telangana BJP State President Bandi Sanjay and sending him notices. He alleged, “They are using these tactics to scare the party members.” On Thursday evening, the Kamalapur Sub Inspector visited Rajender’s residence in Shameerpet and issued the notice under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

On Thursday evening, the Kamalapur Sub Inspector visited Rajender’s residence in Shameerpet and issued the notice under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). Rajender was asked to appear at the Warangal Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) office on Friday at 11 am. The police have also requested him to provide his mobile phone and other evidence for the case.

Responding to the notice, Etala criticised the police’s actions, stating, “Many come to politicians and take hundreds of selfies. Are they all related to us?”

He expressed his frustration, stating, “If a person WhatsApped me a paper on Hindi exam day, and even if I did not see it, I am given notices. I’m not updated with technology and don’t see messages.” “I have trust in the police and faith in the law, I will participate in the investigation,” he added.

Rajender, who had faced similar legal cases earlier, stated that he is not afraid of such notices. He said, “I am familiar with legal cases, and have never run away from them.”

He also took the opportunity to call for a change in leadership in Telangana, saying, “It is time for KCR to step down from his position. The current government is akin to a lamp that flickers before going out - a manifestation of desire before its downfall.” Etala concluded by warning his critics. “KCR will be burned with a stick. Many disappeared in history, you will be one among them.”

Earlier, Telangana BJP State President Bandi Sanjay was arrested for his alleged role in the SSC question paper leak case. On Thursday night, he got bail and was released from Karimnagar jail on Friday morning. Along with him, police have also issued notices to 20 other individuals, alleged to be involved in the matter.

'BRS pushed SCCL into debt'

Etala strongly condemned BRS for calling for protests during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the state. He accused Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao of spreading false propaganda about the Singareni coal mines and stated that “the general public may be misled, but the Singareni workers know the truth.”

Elaborating on the issue, he said that Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) is facing financial trouble due to the state government’s actions. Rajender claimed that the KCR government pushed Singareni into debts as high as Rs 10 thousand crores while politicising the company.

“The state of Telangana came to Singareni with a deposit of Rs 3,500 crores. Today it is in debt of Rs 10 thousand crores. Genco owes Singareni Rs 20 thousand crores. Today, employees in Singareni have to run around banks to get their monthly salary,” he said.

He further claimed that Singareni’s workforce has reduced significantly from 63,000 employees to 43,000 employees, even while coal production increased from 55 million tons to 65 million tons. Rajender said that 90 per cent of the work is entrusted to private workers, who are paid more than Singareni’s employees. He also mentioned that Singareni company was given a contract with AMR company, but claimed that everyone knows who is behind it.