KCR unveils 3-hour footage as evidence in ‘cash for MLAs’ case, flays PM Modi

Those sent the video included all the courts in the country, news outlets, the chief ministers of all the states, and statutory institutions. The video would bare the designs of the BJP in its efforts to use methods most foul to steamroll its way into power in states ruled by Opposition parties.

KCR had threatened exactly this action at a rally in Munugode on 30 October, when he claimed that he had evidence that would shake Delhi.

Clear warning to PM Modi

KCR warned the prime minister that if there was no change in the situation, he should brace for a movement that would build across the nation on the lines of the one that Jayaprakash Narayan led during the infamous days of the Emergency in the 1970s.

If no steps were taken to restrain the BJP’s use of the extra-constitutional powers, the situation would reach a stage where everyone would be deprived of their democratic rights, he cautioned.

Referring to a Central minister asking him whether it was not true that the TRS had admitted MLAs from the Congress, KCR said: “The Congress MLAs came to us on their own. We took them into our party by following the procedures laid down by the Representatives Act. But now, some people are coming to Hyderabad and bragging that they would throw the TRS government out. How can I allow these nefarious conspiracies on my soil?”

He said the video contained references to how the emissaries had purchased MLAs in Karnataka and admitted to pulling down the Maharashtra government. They took Modi’s name twice and referred to Union Home Minister Amit Shah several times, he said.

Also read: Why Modi’s 11 November visit to Andhra is significant for BJP

Emissaries had multiple identities, extraordinary powers? 

Screengrab of the video of the people allegedly involved in the “cash for MLAs” case in Telangana. (Supplied)

The chief minister described the attempt to entice the TRS legislators as nothing but “organised crime” and a despicable act of a political party, one that could not be “condoned in a democracy like ours”.

He said the three emissaries were part of a 24-member gang. Each of them had two-three PAN cards, Aadhaar cards, and driving licences with different names, he added. They even said that once the MLAs were on their side, their security would be taken care of, claimed KCR.

“Who are these people and who has given them the authority to prevent the CBI or ED from going after the MLAs after they switch sides?” he asked.

The chief minister also wanted to know who was supplying funds to these “political gangsters” offering up to ₹100 crore to purchase the MLAs.

“How could they say that as long as EVMs were used in elections, there could be no doubt of their party’s victory at the hustings? What does this imply? I am requesting the judges of the courts not to consider this attempt to cock a snook at democracy as a case in isolation. Put your heads together to end this obnoxious practice,” he urged.

Putting BJP leaders on the docks

Telangana Chief Minister and TRS chief K Chandradhekar Rao, at a press conference in Hyderabad on Thursday, 3 November, 2022, shows “evidence” of people involved in the “cash for MLAs” case being linked directly to the BJP. (Supplied)

The chief minister, playing a video for the benefit of the media, identified the persons in it as Ramachandra Bharati, Simha Yajulu, and Nandakumar. He said that they had mentioned the names of Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda, and party leader BL Santosh.

He also said it was shocking that these emissaries had the audacity to try to pull down a government that had a three-fourths majority in the Assembly. “The BJP has hardly two or three MLAs, and yet it keeps saying it will topple the government. How can I allow somebody to come to my area and try to destabilise my government?” he asked.

The chief minister warned Narendra Modi that if the BJP did not eschew political charades of this nature, he would not hesitate to go to any length to stop them in their tracks. He said the entire nation has to take these attempts to murder democracy very seriously; they should be nipped in the bud.

KCR also said he never expected that the BJP would stoop to such lows in its attempts to destroy democracy, and claimed he would not care even if he had to lay down his life for the cause of upholding democracy.

Also read: BJP rues Sitharaman own goals in Telangana

‘What you are supposed to do’

The Telangana chief minister also reminded Modi that the people had elected him twice to be the prime minister of the country. “As you are your political colleague, I am advising you to focus on improving the nation’s economy and making life easy for the citizens; stop fomenting unrest. This is what you are supposed to do, and not to try to bulldoze your way into the Opposition-ruled states in pursuit of capturing power through heinous acts,” he said.

KCR also said it was very deplorable that the prime minister himself should say that West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee’s 40 MLAs were in touch with him.

“If this is your way, I am worried about what would happen to the democratic fibre of the nation. If the prime minister is like this, no wonder others under him are aping him,” he said, referring to the conversation the three emissaries had with the legislators in which they apparently said they were on the job of pulling down the Delhi, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments.