In May, Soyam Bapu Rao allegedly threatened Christian pastors with bullets over attempts to convert the Aadivasi population to Christianity.
Adilabad BJP MP Soyam Bapu Rao. (Facebook)
A video, purportedly of BJP Member of Parliament Soyam Bapu Rao, has sparked a controversy.
In the video going viral on social media, the Lok Sabha member from Adilabad can be seen addressing a gathering reportedly of BJP representatives in his constituency.
He is apparently heard commenting on what has been construed as misuse of government funds.
Rao courted controversy in May as well, when he allegedly threatened pastors with bullets over attempts to convert the Aadivasi population to Christianity. He was speaking at an event in Adilabad.
During his address, Rao admitted that he used the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds for personal use instead of the development of his constituency.
Started in 1993, the MPLADS enables MPs to fund developmental work in their constituencies based on locally-felt needs.
“This is the second time we got ₹2.5 crore, so we gave some of the money to the MPTCs (Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies) and councillors in this area,” Rao could be heard saying in the video.
“As I do not have a house in the constituency, I used some of the funds for constructing a house. No other leader will admit this, but I am admitting [it],” he added.
“I also had a marriage to conduct, so I used some of those funds for my son’s wedding,” he continued.
He added that he only used a part of the funds. “Many MPs in the past used the whole fund for their own reasons. Today, some leaders in our party are criticising me in many ways, but they do not realise how much public money was used like this by others before me,” he said.
Rao also claimed that no MP in India could manage to get ₹5 crore, which he was allotted for his constituency.
“Today, no MP in India can get ₹5 crore. Bandi Sanjay [Telangana BJP president] can’t get it. Arvind [BJP MP Arvind Dharmapuri] can’t get it. But for you people, I fought and got the funds. I got to know of this yesterday only, when my personal assistant from Delhi called and told me that money would be coming to my account. I immediately came here from Hyderabad, so that I could give those funds to you as soon as possible. I could have used the funds for my personal needs, but we decided against it,” Rao said in the video,
However, in a video statement released later by Rao, he rejected the corruption claim and said that the BRS leaders are spreading “lies” about him.
“It’s not correct to drag an Adivasi MP like me into a controversy without knowing the proper facts,” he noted.
Rao was called out in May by the All India Christian Federation (AICF) for delivering a provocative speech.
He allegedly threatened Christian pastors with bullets over attempts to convert the Aadivasi population to Christianity.
Demanding an apology from Rao, the AICF also sought Rao’s dismissal from the Lok Sabha and legal action against him.
“Democracy allows for the freedom to practise any faith, and it is an individual choice,” AICF president G Vijayaraju said.
Adilabad district Congress president Sajeed Khan told South First in reaction to the video, “We have been saying since the beginning that he is a corrupt man. Even while giving the contract of land, he openly asks the contractor to share half of the profit.”
Noting that the money should have been used for the development of roads, schools, and other initiatives, Khan demanded the suspension of Rao.
“This money is for the future of our children. But what an irony! Today he (Bapu Rao) himself confessed that he misused funds. And on top of it is also asking what was wrong with that!” Khan said.
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) spokesperson Ravula Sridhar Reddy called this an irresponsible attitude from the MP.
“This shows the maturity level of the BJP MP and the blatant misuse of the common man’s money. Look at his daring that now he is openly stating that. How irresponsible is he? Their leader (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) collected the PM Cares Fund, but did not give any account of where it was spent. These leaders use public money for their own use,” Reddy told South First.
He alleged that BJP leaders were arrogant and corrupt. “They are never questioned by the law enforcement agencies. Such people are not qualified for public life, and citizens should throw them out in the next elections,” Reddy said.
South First tried repeatedly to reach out to MP Soyam Bapu Rao and BJP spokespersons, but is yet to receive a response. This story will be updated when they reply.
May 11, 2024
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