TRS has alleged Rajagopal Reddy quit Congress and joined the BJP because he was given contracts worth ₹18,000 crore.
Published Oct 11, 2022 | 4:41 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 11, 2022 | 4:41 PM
IT Minister KT Ramarao addressing TRS Vidyarthi members in Hyderabad. (Supplied)
Pinching the BJP where it hurts most, IT and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao on Tuesday, 11 October, said the TRS was willing to withdraw from the contest in the Munugode by-election if the Centre allocates ₹18,000 crore for the development of the constituency.
This is the same amount that TRS has alleged was awarded in contracts to Komatirddy Rajagopal Reddy to resign from the Congress and contest the seat on the saffron party’s ticket.
Addressing a meeting of the TRS Vidyarthi (TRSV) at Telangana Bhavan here, the party’s working president said that the BJP and Rajagopal Reddy stood exposed, with the latter admitting, in a TV news channel’s interview, that he was the recipient of works worth ₹18,000 crore from the Centre.
The minister said Rajagopal Reddy and his MP brother Venkata Reddy, a member of the Congress, were BJP backers since one joined the saffron party recently and the other one went on a holiday to Australia without campaigning for the Congress candidate.
“You can understand what this implies. They are there working for the interests of the BJP,” he said, after showing video clips of Rajagopal Reddy admitting that the Centre had awarded him works worth ₹18,000 and how he remained a fence-sitter till he joined the BJP.
KTR said that the BJP-led Centre had benefited a contractor after ignoring the recommendation of Niti Aayog to allot ₹19,000 crore to the state for providing clean and safe drinking water to the people under Mission Bhagiratha.
As there was no safe drinking water, the people in the district used fluoride water which led to severe complications.
“Modi does not have the heart the people suffering from fluorosis but was ready to benefit a contractor only to score a win for him over the TRS,” he said.
The TRS working president dared Rajagopal Reddy to seek an inquiry by a sitting Supreme Court judge that he did not join the BJP under pecuniary considerations.
“Why don’t you return the contracts to the Centre if you say they were not the reason for joining the BJP,” he asked.
Describing the by-election as a battle between the arrogance of a contractor and the self-respect of the people of the constituency, he said it was unfortunate that TRS had to fight pygmies like Bandi Sanjay and Rajagopal, after challenging personalities like former chief ministers N Chandrababu Naidu and YS Rajasekahr Reddy.
The TRS leader said the party or its workers are not afraid of Modi or Bodi (bald head of Sanjay Kumar) or ED (Enforcement directorate). “Do what you want to do. We do not scare that easily,” he said.
Referring to the conversion of TRS into BRS, the IT minister said they would introduce the party to people in other states.
“You people come every day from Delhi and heap abuses on us. Why shouldn’t we go out and tell people what the Telangana government has done. We will present the Telangana model of development to the nation,” he said.
