Bandi Challenges KTR to BRS Merger Debate
“The leadership lacks the capacity to run the BRS and is deeply mired in corruption; that is why such proposals are being made: Bandi Sanjay Kumar
KARIMNAGA: Union minister of state for home affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar has challenged BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao to a public debate over allegations that the BRS proposed merging with the BJP. The challenge follows comments by BJP MP C.M. Ramesh (Anakapalli), who claimed Rama Rao approached him with a proposal to merge the BRS with the BJP. Bandi Sanjay said Ramesh’s claims are “entirely accurate,” alleging that Rama Rao sought the merger on the condition that cases against his sister, Kavitha, related to the liquor scam, would be dropped.
“The leadership lacks the capacity to run the BRS and is deeply mired in corruption; that is why such proposals are being made. We will arrange a platform for a discussion with Ramesh, who will present evidence to support his claims. Let us fix a date and time. If Rama Rao is courageous enough, he should come for the debate,” the union minister said.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, Sanjay Kumar further alleged that BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao initially refused to grant Rama Rao a ticket from Sircilla, and that he received it, and later won, only after the intervention and financial assistance of Ramesh. He also questioned how Rama Rao, who he said began his political career with minimal earnings, allegedly amassed thousands of crores in a short period.
He asserted that the BJP opposes dynastic politics and corrupt parties, describing the BRS as a family-run and corrupt organisation. He added that the BJP has no intention of proposing a merger with the BRS, claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier rejected Chandrashekar Rao’s proposal to make Rama Rao chief minister.
Sanjay Kumar also criticised Rama Rao for “arrogance” and for using “disrespectful language” toward the Chief Minister, other leaders and the Prime Minister. He warned that BJP workers would not tolerate such behaviour and said he would not permit the spread of false information on social media using illegally obtained funds. He called on party workers to counter what he described as a misinformation campaign by the BRS on social media.