Phone-Tapping Case To Divert From Govt Failures: KTR

BRS working president K T Rama Rao today dismissed the phone-tapping allegations against others and him as baseless and politically motivated, alleging that the notices issued in the case were a deliberate attempt to divert public attention from the Congress government's "failures".

"This case has no substance, and we have no connection with it. Gathering intelligence is a routine part of police work, and as a minister I had no role in such matters," KTR said.

The BRS leader also said that he had done nothing wrong and was ready to answer all questions posed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Speaking to reporters at Telangana Bhavan before appearing at the Jubilee Hills Police Station, KTR accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of pursuing political vendetta and of trying to shift the focus away from the six unfulfilled promises of the Congress and the several allegations of irregularities in the Singareni coal contracts.

KTR claimed that the government had turned routine governance into a form of entertainment. He also referred to sustained attempts over the past two years to tarnish his image, and said that he would raise these issues during the inquiry.

"They spread rumours about me being a drug addict and having relationships with actresses, accused me of phone tapping, and dragged my family into controversies for political gain. Selective information was leaked to the media without any evidence and used to push an agenda. I will not let them get away with it. I want answers, and they must face the consequences of their actions," he said.

Referring to former minister Harish Rao being questioned in the phone-tapping case soon after exposing the alleged Singareni coal tender scam, the BRS working president said that the probe resembled a soap opera aimed at targeting opposition leaders who expose corruption. He asserted that the BRS would continue to hold the government accountable for its promises and failures.