KVP dares Naidu to prove cheating charges

Hyderabad, Feb. 9: The Rajya Sabha, Dr K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao, on Tuesday, challenged the TD chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, and other TD leaders to prove their charges that he cheated a Dubai sheikh and was absconding in order to escape arrest.

In his five-page “Open letter to Mr Naidu”, which was released to the media on Tuesday, Mr Ramachandra Rao said: “At your behest the TD leaders, Mr Muddu Krishnama Naidu, Mr Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy and Mr G. Butchaiah Chowdary, alleged that I and my son cheated a Dubai sheikh in a business deal and have been absconding fearing arrest. I am visiting Dubai on February 11 and will be there for five days. I challenge you to prove your allegation then.’’

The Rajya Sabha MP asked Mr Naidu to arrange a meeting between him and sheikh when he visits Dubai and promised to allow himself to be charged and arrested. “I will not challenge my arrest or seek bail. I will not come back to India till I am proved innocent,” he said.

Mr Ramachandra Rao said he knew Mr Naidu since 1978 and added that Mr Naidu joined politics along with him and got elected as an MLA even though he was not rich.

“Mr Naidu has grown so much in wealth and fame in the last 30 years. It is unfortunate he and his henchmen have dragged my family into politics,” he added.

“The father-in-law of your son (actor Balakrishna) is quite popular and wealthy. My son’s father-in-law (Raghuraju) is much wealthier than Balakrishna. When you feel business firms run by your son are legal and honest, how can you blame the firms run by my son are illegal and dishonest?’’ he asked and accused Mr Naidu of hatching conspiracies against his father-in-law (late NTR) and encouraging dissidence within the family members to come to power.