Police said the cash was recovered from one S Venu who said he was transporting money at the behest of a former BJP MP.
S Venu (in yellow) with the seized cash. (Supplied)
The Nalgonda District Police on Monday, 17 October, seized unaccounted cash worth ₹1 crore at an inter-district check post at Chalmeda road in the poll-bound Munugode Assembly constituency.
The cash was recovered from a person named S Venu, a BJP supporter who told the police that his wife is a BJP municipal corporator in Karimnagar.
The case comes a week after the Hyderabad city police on 10 October confiscated cash worth ₹3.5 crore that was reportedly being transported to Munugode, and detained six persons.
Over the last three weeks, the police have seized unaccounted cash worth ₹8 crore in Hyderabad, including ₹1.24 crore from a scrap dealer from Meerut.
The Munugode by-election — a crucial test of strength for the TRS, the Congress and the BJP — is scheduled on 3 November with counting of votes to take place on 6 November.
According to the police, under the election code of conduct, any cash being carried without documentary proof will be confiscated.
During a routine check, a vehicle was stopped by the police’s special task force ahead of the Munugode by-polls.
“We found the cash hidden inside the car seats. As Venu could not show any supporting documents, we seized it,” Rema Rajeshwari Ramaswamy, Superintendent of Police, Nalgonda, told South First.
“He said that he is transporting the money at the behest of BJP leader G Vivekanand Venkatswamy (former member of Lok Sabha from Pedapalli constituency). We are investigating further and will book him on a non-bailable charge,” Ramaswamy said adding that the money was being transported from Guntur to Munugode.
BJP Telangana spokesperson, NV Subhash told South First that he was also checking on the matter. He added that during elections every political party requires cash for multiple expenditures.
“From fuel to transportation of other items, cash is required as not everyone accepts digital payments
Subhash also speculated it was the foul play of the BJP’s political rivals and defended Venkatswamy.
“Remember Dubbak bypoll (in 2020) where Vivek’s name dragged in a similar matter. However, later it turned out to be a false claim,” Subhash said.
In the 2020 Dubbak bypoll, Venkatswamy’s name came into the limelight when ₹1 crore unaccounted cash was seized from the brother-in-law of the BJP candidate M Raghunandan Rao and his driver.
As per reports, the driver later claimed that the money was handed to him by an associate of Venkatswamy.
BJP goons caught with tens of crores trying to influence the by-election of #Munugode.
18,000 Cr contract of BJP working right ? pic.twitter.com/NeBVb7n1Fa
— YSR (@ysathishreddy) October 17, 2022
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