Hyderabad on Edge as KTR Faces SIT Questioning in Phone-Tapping Case
Hyderabad was gripped by tension on Friday as K T Rama Rao (KTR), the working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) and former minister, appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged phone-tapping case. The situation escalated with protests by BRS supporters and leaders, leading to confrontations with police at multiple locations across the city.
Police and BRS Supporters Clash at Key Sites
Heavy police deployment was observed at the Jubilee Hills police station, where KTR arrived in the morning, and at Telangana Bhavan, the party headquarters. Authorities had to prevent BRS leader T Harish Rao and others from entering the police station premises, sparking further unrest. Tensions flared when police forcibly closed the gates of Telangana Bhavan to stop more vehicles from leaving, prompting angry slogans against the government.
Protests continued near the Jubilee Hills police station, where former Ministers Errabelli Dayakar Rao and Koppula Eshwar, along with former MLAs Shankar Naik and Kranthi Kiran, staged a sit-in on the road. The large convoy following KTR from Telangana Bhavan caused significant traffic snarls, adding to the chaotic atmosphere.
Background of the Phone-Tapping Investigation
The case under investigation involves allegations that the BRS government, which ruled Telangana for a decade starting from 2014, tapped the phones of opposition leaders from both the Congress and BJP. The SIT had issued a notice to KTR under Section 160 of the CrPC on January 22, directing him to appear at the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police.
KTR's Blistering Attack on the Government
Before heading to the police station, KTR launched a scathing critique of the Congress-led Telangana government. He described the phone-tapping probe as a "daily television serial" rather than a genuine inquiry, accusing it of being a diversionary tactic to shield administrative failures and protect Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
KTR argued that surveillance mechanisms have existed since the time of Jawaharlal Nehru and continue under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, functioning within police and intelligence establishments without ministerial discretion. He challenged the government to produce a senior official who would publicly state that opposition leaders' phones are not currently being tapped.
He also accused the administration of selective leaks to the media and avoiding formal press briefings, noting that the case has dragged on for two years without official clarification. KTR linked the notices to political motives, claiming they were issued after Harish Rao raised allegations about irregularities in coal contracts at Singareni involving the Chief Minister's relatives.
Political and Governance Criticisms
Turning to broader issues, KTR criticized the Congress government's two-year record, alleging failure to deliver on electoral promises such as financial assistance to women and the implementation of six guarantees. He contended that instead of addressing governance, the administration rolls out controversies—from Kaleshwaram to Formula-E, sheep procurement schemes, and now phone-tapping—to divert public attention.
Reiterating his and his party's innocence, KTR stated they would cooperate fully with the SIT but maintained that the inquiry amounts to political harassment rather than a search for truth. The ongoing probe continues to stir political tensions in Hyderabad, highlighting the volatile nature of Telangana's political landscape.
