Hyderabad: Stating that the AP government has evidence of phone tapping by Telangana state, AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu told the advisers of Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan that he was ready to prove his claim if the Centre orders an inquiry.
Mr Naidu briefed Mr Narasimhan’s advisers, A.P.V.N. Sarma and A.K. Mohanty, who met him at his residence on Sunday, on the phone tapping issue and implementation of Section 8 of the AP Reorganisation Act. AP Chief Secretary I.Y.R. Krishna Rao, DGP J.V. Ramudu, IG, Intelligence, Anuradha were also present. Significantly, the Governor’s advisers met Mr Naidu barely 24 hours after a delegation of AP ministers, led by Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishna Murthy met Mr Narasimhan and lodged a complaint on the phone tapping issue and maintenance of law and order in the common capital.
According to sources, Mr Naidu was very serious about the phone tapping issue and told Mr Narasimhan’s advisers that maintenance of law and order should be with the Governor in the common capital, as per Section 8 of the AP Reorganisation Act. He also said that the Chief Ministers of both AP and TS have equality as regards protocol.
Mr Naidu also accused the TS government of misusing official machinery for political gains. Mr Naidu asked the Governor’s advisers how the Telangana government could use the ACB for conducting a sting operation on a MLA.
“If TD MLA Revanth Reddy tried to bribe their party, the TRS MLA could have complained to the Election Commission,” Mr Naidu said. “I also have an ACB, if I also direct it to conduct sting operations on TRS MLAs, what will happen to democracy,” he said.
Sources said that the advisers told Mr Naidu that they will convey his views to the Governor.
