Tacit understanding between Congress and BJP in Telangana, alleges KTR

K. T. Rama Rao

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao criticised the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for speaking against crony capitalism only as lip service and has alleged that there is a tacit understanding between the two parties.

Speaking to NDTV today, KTR said that the Congress and BJP fight against each other across the country, but have a 'strange love story' in Telangana, former state minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader KT Rama Rao told NDTV today.

Citing the example of AMRUT-II tenders in Telangana, KTR noted that tenders were called for works worth Rs 8,888 crore in February last and the contracts were awarded in six packages, including one worth Rs 1,137 crore, to joint venture of Shodha Constructions, a company owned by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s brother-in-law, and Indian Hume Pipe (IHP) company.

The BRS working president stated that he, along with a BRS delegation, met Union minister of urban affairs Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday and submitted a memorandum on the AMRUT-II tenders and explained the irregularities taking place. They had requested for cancellation of tenders and an inquiry into the tenders.

AMRUT -- Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) -- focuses on development of basic infrastructure in selected cities in the sectors of water supply; sewerage, drainage, green spaces and parks and non-motorised transport.

KTR pointed out that while Congress and BJP leaders often clash in Delhi, their behaviour in Telangana suggests a hidden alliance. "Despite ED raids on Congress leaders, BJP leaders have remained silent," KTR remarked. He urged both parties to explain why no action has been taken following these investigations.

KTR stated that there was serious conflict of interest involved in the AMRUT-II contracts given to the companies owned by the kin of the Chief Minister as also Minister for Revenue P. Srinivasa Reddy.  PM Narendra Modi had himself alleged several times that Telangana had become an ATM for the Congress party but no action was taken, alleged the leader.