IT Raids On Offices, Residences Of Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy

The Income Tax department today conducted searches at the residences and offices of former MP and Congress candidate for the Paleru Assembly constituency seat Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, starting from the wee hours.

Speaking with the media later, Ponguleti said that some 10 IT officials had come to his house for conducting the raids.

He pointed out that he had already predicted raids on Congress candidates, and that he was proven right. He alleged that the houses of the Congress leaders were being raided across the State, and that CM K Chandrashekar Rao had joined hands with the BJP to get the raids carried out.

"Ever since I came out of the BRS, I have been subjected to a lot of trouble. I know that the party is going to focus on me and put me in trouble. Its leaders have started harassing Muvva Vijayababu and me. The BJP leaders are now joining the hands with the BRS leaders to get the raids carried out," he said.

He said that it was no coincidence that the raids had been carried out on the day that he was going to file his nomination papers, and alleged that the raids were being conducted deliberately to intimidate those who trusted him and believed in him.

He said he would however fight against such harassment and raids consistently. Claiming that he was not afraid of any number of searches or difficulties, Ponguleti said even if he was put in jail, he would not kneel.

Ponguleti also asked why BRS candidates were not being attacked by the IT officials when they were spending lakhs of rupees to win the upcoming Assembly elections, and added that he would lodge a complaint on the issue with the Election Commission.

He also warned that people would teach a lesson to both the BRS and the BJP.