Hyderabad, Nov.12 (NSS): BRS party working president K Tarakarama Rao urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respond to alleged corruption in Telangana’s AMRUT tender process. He highlighted that while the Prime Minister previously accused Telangana of being an “ATM” for Congress and for other State elections, it is critical that he addresses the local corruption as well.
Speaking to media persons today, KTR stated that, despite ongoing allegations, Modi has not taken any measures to curb the Congress government’s coruption in Telangana State. He emphasized that it’s not enough to make accusations about Rahul Gandhi and Revanth Tax in Telangana without any action. Prime Minister Modi must take immediate steps to address the corruption concerns tied to the Amrut tenders as BRS has submitted substantial proofs about the corruption to the Central government.
It is to be noted that the delegation led by the KTR and BRS party MPs met the Urban development minister Manohal Lal Khatter on Monday and submitted a representation for conducting an enquiry and cancellation of AMRUT tenders. Union Minister Manoharlal Khattar assured to take action on the alleged corruption in the AMRUT tenders. “He requested time until the upcoming parliamentary sessions to gather information and initiate appropriate action. If the Central government does not address the corruption in the Amrit tenders during the parliamentary session, we will bring this issue to the forefront in Parliament, particularly in the Rajya Sabha” KTR said.
KTR challenged BJP’s sincerity, calling this a “litmus test” for their commitment to rooting out Congress corruption. He claimed that if the accusations made by BJP leaders and PM Modi hold any merit, action should follow. He also highlighted that Amrut tenders have allegedly been awarded to family members of the Chief Minister and other ministers. According to KTR, if these allegations are false, BJP leaders should reassure the public. However, if they are true, BJP must break their silence and take definitive action.
BJP & Congress’ Collusion
KTR criticized Union Minister Bandi Sanjay, asserting that he responds to every criticism of the Chief Minister Revanth Reddy but fails to address government corruption effectively. KTR said despite having eight BJP MPs in Telangana, the party never spoke of the Congress corruption in various issues. KTR also took aim at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, stating, “I welcome Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to visit the ‘Goat Mandi’ in Telangana, as he claims that MPs and MLAs are being bought like sheep.” KTR suggested that Kharge should witness firsthand how Congress itself is involved in this “buying of sheep” in Telangana, inviting him to observe what he described as “political horse-trading.” KTR said Congress has allegedly engineered a culture of “Aaya Ram–Gaya Ram” party defections. He argued that Congress has lost the moral authority to criticize party defection issues after absorbing ten BRS legislators in Telangana.
KTR pointed to specific instances of alleged corruption within Telangana’s AMRUT tender process, valued at over Rs 8,888 crore. He stated that he lodged a complaint with the Union Urban Development Minister regarding the matter. KTR claimed that details about the tenders are not being disclosed, even under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. He said tenders were awarded to Shoda Constructions, a company tied to the Chief Minister’s brother-in-law Sudini Srujan Reddy, despite the company’s lack of necessary qualifications. He also alleged that Indian Hume Pipe Company, a qualified firm, was used as a front while the bulk of the work went to Shoda Construction, which has a limited annual profit.
KTR asserted that this is a prime example of crony capitalism, echoing statements made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He demanded that the central government cancel these AMRUT tenders immediately and alleged that the Chief Minister has also violated the Office of Profit Act, referencing Article 191 of the Constitution. KTR warned that such violations could result in leaders like Revanth Reddy and Ponguleti losing their positions in lines with Sonia Gandhi losing her post in UPA term in the past.
