In a strong statement from Hyderabad, Telangana Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud declared on Sunday that several prominent leaders who have served as chief ministers, including J Jayalalithaa, Lalu Prasad Yadav, BS Yediyurappa, Mayawati, and Shibu Soren, have faced imprisonment, emphasizing that BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao is no exception to the rule of law.
Law Applies Equally to All, Including KCR
Addressing the media at Gandhi Bhavan, the TPCC president asserted that regardless of status or stature, anyone who commits a crime or violates the law must undergo punishment, which may include jail time based on their involvement. "The law is equal for all, including KCR. Why should there be any problem in KCR giving his version to the SIT if he has not committed or was not involved in phone tapping?" Goud questioned, highlighting the principle of legal equality.
Serious Allegations of Phone Tapping Under BRS Rule
Goud described phone tapping as a serious crime under the Telegraph Act, alleging that during the previous BRS government's tenure, the phones of opposition leaders, members of the then ruling BRS, as well as industrialists and actors, were illegally monitored. He claimed that many individuals were blackmailed as a result, sarcastically remarking, "BRS should be called Blackmail Rashtra Samithi, not Bharat Rashtra Samithi."
According to Goud, the Telegraph Act permits phone tapping only in emergencies, particularly concerning national security matters. However, he alleged widespread misuse during the BRS regime, with contractors and industrialists being targeted for blackmail. He further accused the government of intruding into private lives, stating that conversations of couples were monitored and actors' personal matters were violated.
KCR's Knowledge and Political Colouring Alleged
Goud insisted that such extensive phone tapping could not have occurred without the knowledge of then chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. He criticized BRS leaders KTR and Harish Rao for attempting to give a political colour to the SIT questioning of KCR, accusing them of projecting it as political vendetta.
"BRS leaders are trying to project it as though the government is seeking a political vendetta and has summoned KCR for questioning without respect for his age," Goud said. He pointed out past incidents where older individuals were allegedly disrespected by KCR, questioning why KTR and Harish did not intervene then.
Drawing Parallels with Other Political Figures
To bolster his argument, Goud cited the example of Sonia Gandhi, who appeared before the ED office to give her version despite allegations of harassment. He emphasized that the ongoing SIT probe into the phone tapping case aims to uncover the truth, denying any political motive or vendetta behind KCR's questioning.
Goud noted that SIT notices were issued to KCR in the same manner as those sent to other BRS leaders like KTR, Harish Rao, and Santosh. Terming it "ridiculous" to scrutinize KCR's questioning under a magnifying glass, the TPCC president argued that KCR's claims of righteousness and allegations of vendetta reflect a monarchical mindset, out of touch with democratic accountability.
In conclusion, Goud reiterated that the law must take its course impartially, urging transparency and cooperation from all parties involved in the investigation to ensure justice prevails in this high-profile case.
