KTR Launches Fierce Attack on Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, Labels Him a 'Thief'
In a dramatic political confrontation, BRS Working President KT Rama Rao on Friday unleashed a blistering verbal assault on Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, branding him a "thief" and making explosive allegations about attempts to purchase BRS legislators during their tenure in power.
Explosive Allegations of MLA Purchase Attempt
Speaking to ANI just before appearing before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the ongoing phone tapping case, KTR made startling claims about the current chief minister's alleged activities. "In 2015, when BRS was in power in Telangana, we actually apprehended a man who had arrived with ₹50 lakhs specifically to buy our MLAs," Rao asserted with conviction.
"Unfortunately, this thief is now the current Chief Minister of Telangana," he declared pointedly. "This thief operates under the assumption that everyone functions exactly the same way he does."
Defiant Stance Against SIT Probe
KTR maintained an unwavering position regarding the SIT notice, insisting that it would neither intimidate nor frighten him or his party members. He confidently stated that they have committed no wrongdoing and even suggested the investigation was providing them with unexpected publicity.
"He believes a simple police summons will terrify us," Rao remarked with a hint of sarcasm. "We have absolutely no hesitation about appearing before the police authorities because we have done nothing improper. In fact, this entire episode is generating free publicity for our cause."
Allegations of Sustained Character Assassination
Rao further escalated his accusations by claiming that Chief Minister Reddy has been orchestrating a systematic character assassination campaign against him for an extended period of two years. He challenged the authorities to produce any concrete evidence of misconduct on his part.
"If I have actually done anything wrong, then present me with the evidence," he demanded, questioning the fundamental basis of the summons issued to him. Taking direct aim at Reddy, Rao positioned himself as the victim of malicious political targeting.
"If anyone bears responsibility for this situation, it is undoubtedly the Chief Minister himself," he stated unequivocally.
Atmosphere of Fear Among Government Ministers
The BRS leader made additional claims about the chilling effect the ongoing probe has created within political circles. He alleged that ministers in the current Congress government have become apprehensive about communicating with opposition members due to surveillance concerns.
"The ministers serving in the Congress administration are now fearful of speaking with us over telephone lines because they suspect their conversations might be monitored or tapped," Rao revealed, highlighting the broader implications of the investigation.
Political Drama Unfolds Amid Heavy Security
These explosive remarks followed Rao's arrival at Telangana Bhawan ahead of his scheduled appearance before the SIT, which is investigating alleged phone tapping activities during the previous BRS administration. Security measures were significantly heightened in anticipation of the event.
Substantial police forces were deployed in and around the Jubilee Hills Assistant Commissioner of Police office prior to his appearance. Additional drama erupted outside the Jubilee Hills police station where law enforcement officials had to intervene and remove protesting BRS workers who were demonstrating against Chief Minister Reddy.
Questioning Session and Broader Political Context
KTR was formally summoned for questioning at 11 am, where investigating officers planned to interrogate him regarding allegations that intelligence officials engaged in phone surveillance under directives from top leadership during the BRS regime.
In related developments from Thursday, Rao had already characterized the phone-tapping investigation as politically motivated during a media interaction in Sircilla. He described the SIT probe as merely a "time-pass exercise" designed to target opposition figures while distracting public attention from governance shortcomings.
"If this investigation were genuinely impartial, senior administrative officials would be questioned first. Instead, political leaders are being selectively targeted," he argued, dismissing the entire case as fundamentally baseless and without merit.
