Khammam: The arrest of Telugu Desam MLA Revanth Reddy in ‘cash-for-vote' scandal reportedly has a link with Khammam district. The ACB officials, who are investigating the case, may question Aswaraopet MLA Thati Venkateswarlu belonging to the district. Mr Venkateswarlu, in a meeting, said he had been approached by some persons of the Telugu Desam to vote in favour of TD candidate in the MLC elections. "I was offered Rs 50 lakh for casting vote in favour of TD candidate V. Narender Reddy," he said.
The Aswaraopet MLA, who was elected on a YSRC ticket, joined the TRS recently. Sources said Thati was convinced to vote in favour of TD candidate saying that none would question him as he had come from the YSRC. It is learnt that the MLA accepted the cash in the first instance but later, returned the cash taken from a mediator following the arrest of Mr Revanth Reddy. However, the MLA claimed that he refused to accept the cash from TD MLA Revanth Reddy.
It is alleged that Mr Venkateswarlu is one of the five MLAs convinced to vote in favour of TD candidate in MLC polls. Sources said that a TD leader in Khammam district, who is a strong opponent of Minister for Roads and Buildings Tummala Nageswara Rao, allegedly moved pawns to defeat him in the MLC elections. A leader from TD, on condition of anonymity, said, "Mr Tummala is gaining strength with each passing day and winning as MLC would further reinforce his presence in the district. This will harm the interests of TD as well as a senior leader in the party." Sources said the minister too suspected a conspiracy against him and was constantly in touch with the MLAs who were allotted to him.
