BRS Leader KTR Accuses Congress of Using Phone Tapping Probe as Diversion
In a strongly worded media interaction in Hyderabad on Thursday, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led state government, alleging that the ongoing phone tapping investigation is nothing more than a diversionary tactic. KTR claimed this strategy is deliberately designed to shield administrative failures and protect Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's political position from growing public scrutiny.
"Daily Television Serial" Investigation
Addressing journalists after receiving notices from the Special Investigation Team (SIT), KTR characterized the government-constituted probe as resembling a "daily television serial" rather than a genuine, substantive inquiry. He expressed frustration that the investigation appears focused on creating political drama rather than uncovering factual truth about surveillance practices.
The BRS leader asserted that notices are being issued selectively to opposition figures purely for political mileage, while senior police and intelligence officials who actually oversaw surveillance systems in previous administrations are being deliberately kept away from questioning. This selective targeting, according to KTR, reveals the political nature of the investigation.
Historical Context of Surveillance Mechanisms
KTR provided historical perspective on surveillance practices, noting that every government in India has relied on intelligence agencies for maintaining law and order and safeguarding national stability. He pointed out that surveillance mechanisms have existed since the time of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and continue to operate even today under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration.
"Such systems function within established police and intelligence frameworks and do not operate at the discretion of ministers or political executives," KTR maintained. He emphasized that surveillance mechanisms exist solely for legitimate purposes of national security and public order maintenance, not for partisan political activities.
Questioning Investigation Priorities
The BRS leader posed pointed questions about why former intelligence chiefs and directors-general of police are not being summoned by the SIT. He specifically mentioned current DGP Shivadhar Reddy, former DGP Mahender Reddy, ex-DGP and home secretary Jitender, and Ravi Gupta as officials who should be questioned if the investigation were genuinely impartial.
"If the probe is honest, these officers should be questioned first. Instead, political leaders are being targeted and an endless story is being spun for time pass," KTR stated emphatically. He challenged the state government to produce at least one senior officer who would publicly confirm that opposition leaders' phones are not currently being tapped under the present administration.
Allegations of Media Manipulation
KTR further accused the Congress administration of allowing selective leaks to media outlets while avoiding formal press briefings or official clarifications. This approach, he argued, creates confusion and allows the government to control narratives without accountability. The BRS working president suggested this media strategy complements the broader diversionary tactics he alleges the government is employing.
Broader Governance Failures
Expanding his critique beyond the phone tapping investigation, KTR claimed Congress has failed to deliver on numerous electoral promises, including financial assistance to women and implementation of six key guarantees made during election campaigns. He alleged that instead of addressing these governance shortcomings, the administration constantly rolls out new controversies to divert public attention.
The BRS leader cited multiple examples of what he called manufactured controversies, ranging from Kaleshwaram project issues to Formula-E racing events, sheep procurement schemes, and now the phone-tapping investigation. He suggested these are strategically timed to shift focus from governance failures.
Political Timing Allegations
KTR made specific allegations about the timing of investigation notices, claiming that notices to fellow BRS leader Harish Rao were issued within hours of Rao raising allegations about irregularities in coal contracts at Singareni involving relatives of the chief minister. This timing, according to KTR, demonstrates the political motivation behind the investigation rather than any genuine search for truth.
While denying any wrongdoing by himself or his party colleagues, KTR stated they would cooperate fully with the SIT proceedings. However, he maintained that the inquiry amounts to political harassment rather than legitimate fact-finding. The BRS leader vowed to continue repeating his position that political leaders have no operational connection to surveillance mechanisms that function within established intelligence frameworks.
