Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao met Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan at the Raj Bhavan for the second time in a row on Wednesday to brief him on the cash-for-vote scam. Sources said the CM briefed the Governor on ACB notices to Sathupally Telugu Desam MLA, Sandra Venkata Veeraiah in the scam, and interrogation of Telugu Desam leader Vem Narender Reddy, who recently contested MLC elections and lost.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, two MPs — Garikipati Mohan Rao and C. M. Ramesh — and a Union Minister are likely to be served notices soon and Mr Rao apprised the Governor about the same, it is learnt. The meeting with the Governor lasted half an hour.
It is also learnt that the Chief Minister brought to the notice of the Governor attempts by Mr Naidu, AP ministers and other Telugu Desam leaders to create unrest in Hyderabad, especially among Seemandhra people. He said the demand for implementation of Section 8 of the AP Reorganisation Act is part of the same plan.
He specifically pointed to the mobilisation of Andhra Police at Mr Naidu’s residence, including anti-Naxal force Octopus and AP minister Atchannaidu’s statement that the AP government would not hesitate to have its own police stations in Hyderabad against norms and the Reorganisation Act which vests the law and order in Hyderabad with the Telangana government.
Mr Rao requested the Governor to direct the AP Chief Minister to stop provocative acts in Hyderabad, withdraw all the Andhra police from the city and face ACB probe as per rule.
Mr Rao informed the Governor that there were no untoward incidents against Seemandhra people living in Hyderabad over the past one year and that Mr Naidu was trying all means to divert attention from the probe.
He told the Governor again that Mr Naidu hatched a conspiracy to topple the duly-elected TRS government by trying to purchase MLAs with huge cash offers, adding that the Telangana government has taken all steps to ensure peace and tranquillity in Hyderabad and other parts of the state.
Earlier in the day, ACB DG A. K. Khan met the CM and apprised him on the notice served on the TD MLA and leader, recording of nominated MLA Stephenson’s statement before the ACB court and pending notices on other Telugu Desam leaders involved in the cash-for-vote scam.
Cash-for-vote scam: Vem Narendar Reddy questioned by ACB, let off later
The alleged ultimate beneficiary in the cash-for-vote scam, the MLC candidate Vem Narendar Reddy was grilled by the Anti-Corruption Bureau on Wednesday for about 10 hours.
He was let off in the evening. The agency questioned him regarding his involvement in the conspiracy and the purchase of MLAs to support his candidature in MLC elections.
The ACB has questioned him on his links with MLAs A. Revanth Reddy and Sandra Venkata Veeraiah.
An ACB official said, “We have asked him whether he knew who the boss is. The questioning was aimed at knowing where the money came from, where the conspiracy was hatched, who the conspirators are and who the other MLAs they tried to purchase are.”
Mr Vem Narendar Reddy told DC, “The ACB has asked me several questions pertaining to this. I have denied the allegations. They have taken my statement and also made video recording of the questioning.”
He added, “They told me they will call me again depending on need.” Meanwhile, MLA Sandra Venkata Veeraiah from Sattupally in Khammam was asked to appear before ACB before 5 pm on June 19.
