BRS steps up heat on Telangana CM over Rs 1,000 crore deal, files complaint with ED

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has intensified its campaign against Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy.

It has alleged severe misconduct and nepotism in a recent Rs 1,000 crore deal involving his brother's company, Swachh Bio.

BRS spokesperson Krishank Manne filed a formal complaint with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in New Delhi. He requested an investigation into the financial transactions related to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Telangana government and Swachh Bio.

Krishank Manne submitted detailed documents to the ED Director at the agency's headquarters in New Delhi. The documents contained evidence of a conflict of interest and potential quid pro quo in the deal.

The complaint alleges that Anumula Jagadeeshwar Reddy, the chief minister’s brother and a director of Swachh Bio, benefits significantly from this agreement, raising serious questions about the integrity of the chief minister’s administration. The ED acknowledged receipt of the complaint, as confirmed in a BRS press release.

The BRS's recent actions are part of a more significant effort to challenge chief minister Revanth Reddy and highlight what they allege is nepotism and corruption in his government.

Previously, Krishank Manne accused the Congress-led Telangana government of deceiving the public by entering into agreements with shell companies. He specifically named Harsha Pasunuri in this deal as a proxy for the chief minister’s brother.

BRS working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) further amplified these accusations, claiming that Congress is using "shell companies" to mislead the people of Telangana.

The controversy started when the Telangana government announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Swachh Bio, a company that was established just days before the deal was signed.

The agreement aimed to set up a cellulosic biofuel plant in Telangana and was touted by the chief minister as a significant investment for the state. However, the BRS quickly pointed out that one of the company's directors is the chief minister’s brother, accusing the government of nepotism and misuse of power.

Krishank Manne questioned how such a new company could secure a deal worth Rs 1,000 crore and raised concerns about the absence of Swachh Bio’s directors, including Jagadeeshwar Reddy, at the MoU signing, which further fueled suspicions.

Congress downplayed the allegations, with senior leader Manavatha Roy dismissing the BRS’s claims as baseless.

Roy argued that nothing is wrong with the chief minister’s brother doing business, especially since he has been an NRI working in the USA.

He emphasised that there should be no issue if the business is conducted legally. Telangana IT and industries minister D Sridhar Babu also defended the deal, highlighting the credentials of Swachh Bio’s international partner, Suganit Biorenewables, and arguing that the investment would benefit the state significantly.