YSRC Candidate Says His Timber Depot Sealed After Poll Dispute

Kurnool: A timber depot in Kurnool belonging to the defeated YSRC corporator candidate S. Venkata Ramana has been sealed following an inspection by Vigilance and Forest officials. Venkata Ramana alleges the action is politically motivated after he refused to accept defeat in the recent municipal elections.

The YSRC candidate has contested for the corporator’s post from Ward No. 23 of the Kurnool Municipal Corporation. Venkata Ramana claimed he had won by 59 votes, but the result had been declared in favour of the TD candidate. He alleged that Industries Minister T.G. Bharath and his followers pressured him to sign a declaration accepting defeat and threatened him with dire consequences if he refused.

The YSRC candidate said he refused to sign the declaration after the results had been announced on November 5. Vigilance and Forest officials came to inspect his Altalex Timber Depot on November 7 and sealed the premises.

Venkata Ramana alleged that former Rajya Sabha member T.G. Venkatesh had lodged a complaint against him through an advocate, prompting the Vigilance inspection.

He admitted that his timber depot licence had expired. He said Forest officials had advised him against seeking renewal because of the high penalty involved. He said the department had advised him to apply for a fresh licence.

"There are around 35 timber depots in Kurnool town. But officials targeted only my depot. Forest officials also pressured me, saying the case could be settled here if I reached a compromise," the YSRC corporator alleged.

Kurnool forest range officer B. Priyanka said, "There could be a political angle behind the complaint. However, we conducted an inquiry because we received a complaint. We will also inspect the other timber depots in Kurnool," she maintained.

Vigilance Additional Superintendent of police K. Chowdeswari said officials had received a complaint, inspected the depot, and submitted a report to the Forest Department.