Hyderabad: A sting operation showing former MLA A. Revanth Reddy offering a bribe to nominated MLC Elvis Stephenson 30 months ago, followed by the release of an audiotaped phone conversation which purported to show the alleged involvement of TD president and AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu precipitated the downfall of the party in the state.
The party had won 15 MLAs and a vote share of 22 per cent in Telangana state, leading Mr Naidu to vociferously proclaim in his speeches, “I will haunt you, I will remain here to fight against you’ (against KCR).” Mr Naidu had said he would visit the state every week and lead the party in taking up agitations against the Chandrasekhar Rao government.
Then the sting operation was telecast on May 31, 2015, showing Mr Revanth Reddy offering Rs 50 lakh cash to Mr Stephenson to vote in favour of TD MLC candidate Vem Narender Reddy.
Mr Revanth Reddy was arrested and remanded for a month in jail, and still faces the cases as Accused No 1. There was no case lodged against Mr Naidu for his alleged telephonic conversation with Mr Stephenson, the case remained as a weapon for his critics.
After this, Mr Naidu confined his activities to the AP capital, leaving the party affairs in Telangana state to local leaders. TRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao took advantage of the situation and admitted 12 TD MLAs into the ruling party, giving the impression to TD cadre as well as leaders that their ultimate destination should be the TRS. Even traditional TD supporters started moving towards the TRS.
The exit of Mr Revanth Reddy, who is set to join the Congress, has further weakened the TD in Telangana state. The mood in the TD is that it will disintegrate further as many leaders look to alternative parties like the Congress, TRS and the BJP.
