Take Lie Detector Test, KTR Challenges Naidu

Stating that he was ready to take a "lie detector test" on the alleged exposure of tapes of his voice in a section of the media, Telangana IT Minister K T Rama Rao today threw a challenge to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to face a similar test in the note-for-vote case.

Speaking to the media, the minister made it clear that the TRS government had nothing to do with the case, which had come to light only through the ACB.

The AP government was trying to position the row as an issue between the two states, he said.

Seeking to know why Naidu was kepting quiet on the row, KTR accused the former of indulging in dirty politics.

He demanded that Naidu, who alleged that the ruling TRS was purchasing legislators like "sheep", state clearly whether he did or did not send Revanth Reddy to nominated MLA Stephenson.

He demanded that the TDP chief either ackowledge his involvement in the case or punish Reddy for taking his (Naidu's) name repeatedly while offering Rs 50 lakhs of a Rs 5 crore "bribe" to Stephenson.

Denying charges that his government had tapped the phone calls of Naidu, he said that the ACB was conducting the investigation based on the calls of Stephenson and Sebastian.

He also flayed the TDP government for trying to target him and malign the image of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao.

"Let the ACB complete the investigation - the AP people will then come to know the fact that Naidu was behind the scam," he claimed. (NSS)