He cited reports suggesting the use of foreign surveillance equipment in the phone-tapping of politicians and celebrities, potentially inviting scrutiny under foreign exchange and anti-corruption laws.
Hyderabad:Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao accused the Congress government of deliberately ignoring corruption cases from the previous BRS regime, including the phone-tapping scandal and the Kaleshwaram project scam.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Ramchander Rao alleged that despite being in power for 20 months, the Congress administration had failed to arrest any politicians involved in past scandals and was instead engaged in “shadow boxing” with BRS leaders by targeting only officials. “Why haven’t key figures been held accountable despite serious charges,” he asked.
He cited reports suggesting the use of foreign surveillance equipment in the phone-tapping of politicians and celebrities, potentially inviting scrutiny under foreign exchange and anti-corruption laws. However, he noted that a CBI probe requires permission from the High Court or the state government.
Responding to Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka’s remark that he was not afraid of receiving notices in the Rohit Vemula suicide case, Ramchander Rao said the notices were not meant to intimidate, but to challenge what he called false accusations. He demanded a public apology or threatened legal action.
On the upcoming Jubilee Hills Assembly bypoll, he expressed confidence in the BJP’s prospects, citing a shift in voter sentiment in the twin cities in favour of the party. When asked about speculation around MLA T. Raja Singh’s return to the BJP and his softened stance, Ramchander Rao said such decisions lie with the party’s national leadership and declined to comment on whether Raja Singh would be recognised as one of the party’s MLAs in the Assembly.
He criticised Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s suggestion to nominate BC leader Bandaru Dattatreya as the NDA’s Vice President candidate, calling it hollow symbolism. “If Revanth is sincere about empowering BCs, he should resign and let a BC leader become Chief Minister,” he said. Ramchander Rao accused the Congress government of neglecting BCs and misleading them by prioritising 10 per cent Muslim reservation while failing to implement the promised 42 per cent BC quota in local body elections. He demanded a special Assembly session to amend relevant provisions.
Mocking Revanth Reddy’s claim of receiving an “Oscar Award” from Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, he termed it a “Goebbels Award” for acting, and dismissed the proposed caste census in Telangana as “bogus.” He also condemned Revanth’s remark describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “converted BC,” calling it deeply insulting to the BC community.
On reports of differences within the party’s MPs, Ramchander Rao downplayed them as minor aberrations and said all elected representatives would be included in planning for the upcoming local elections.
Urging party workers to focus on public engagement over party posts, he announced that new office bearers for the BJP state unit would be appointed within 10 days. Of the 18 posts — including eight vice presidents, seven secretaries and three general secretaries — 33 per cent would go to women. The posts would be allocated as follows: seven for women, three for SCs and STs, and nine for others. A treasurer would also be appointed.
Ramchander Rao said Union home minister Amit Shah had advised him to intensify tours across the state. Accordingly, he will visit the united Mahabubnagar district on July 26 and 27, and the united Khammam and Mahabubabad districts on July 29 and 30.
