Khammam: The political heat in Khammam went up a couple of notches with former Union minister Renuka Chowdary and transport minister P. Ajay Kumar levelling allegations of corruption against each other on Monday.
The Congress leader claimed that Ajay Kumar was looting minerals through illegal mining at the hillocks in Raghunadhapalem mandal. Many hillocks in the mandal had disappeared due to illegal mining, and TRS leaders had earned crores of rupees.
She accused TRS leaders of earning money by grabbing private and government lands and that the police were extending them support. “There is no rule of law and illegal cases are being filed against the Opposition leaders for exposing TRS leaders’ misdeeds,” she said. Mustafa, spouse of a Congress corporator, was arrested several times by filing illegal cases, the former Congress minister said.
Renuka Chowdary alleged that Ajay Kumar had encroached on government land parcels using benamis; a relative of the minister had encroached on private land in Khammam town. Saying that privately-owned land was not safe, Chowdary alleged, “People of Khammam fear the ruling party leaders who are looting them.
Hitting back, the minister hinted at the Congress leader and claimed that TRS leaders and he had never collected money from aspirants to give party tickets.
He said: A cheating case has been filed against a former Union minister for collecting money from a doctor, who belonged to the Scheduled Tribes, for assuring to give Congress ticket. The wife of the doctor requested her to pay back their money as she failed to give the party ticket. The doctor died due to the health problems later.”
He said that Renuka Chowdary had no right to blame him for corruption and denied that he was involved in illegal mining. “She can inquire into it,” the minister said.
He claimed that the Congress leaders were unable to digest the development in Khammam where 100-feet wide roads were being constructed. “Congress leaders raise a hue and cry before elections and the people know about it,” he said, adding, “There is no space for the Congress in Khammam and the people will not believe Renuka,” he said.
