Kavitha to appear before ED on March 11; says BJP intimidating parties

The leader said she had a fundamental right to be questioned or investigated by the federal agency in her home.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha has accused the BJP-led Centre of “using the might” of central agencies to intimidate opposition parties and their leaders and said she would appear for questioning by the enforcement directorate on March 11 in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

The ruling BJP sends its agencies to states where polls are scheduled to be held to ensure that it comes to power, alleged Kavitha.

“The enforcement directorate summoned me to appear on March 9 in New Delhi. I requested for March 16, but don't know why they are in a hurry. I told them we have a protest on March 10 and I will appear on March 11,” she said.

A hunger strike has been planned in New Delhi over the Women's Reservation Bill on March 10 and 18 parties had confirmed their participation, she said.

The BRS MLC said she had a fundamental right to be questioned or investigated by the federal agency in her home.

Kavitha, the daughter of Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, is among the politicians and businesspersons, including former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who are allegedly linked to the Delhi excise policy case.

Home questioning

The policy for FY22 to grant licences to liquor traders favoured some dealers who allegedly paid bribes worth Rs 100 crore. The policy was later scrapped. The ED arrested Hyderabad businessman Arun Ramchandran Pillai, who is said to have acted on behalf of the dealer cartel’s dealings. The ED claimed he represented Kavitha.

“I requested the ED to come to my home on March 11. I told them they can bring the accused also to corroborate my statement, but they rejected the request,” Kavitha said.

She said such agencies should be able to question people via video conference, using the technology that became popular during the pandemic.

“When police, any directorate or any agency wants to interrogate a woman, it should be done via video conference. We will take up this matter in the Supreme Court also,” Kavitha added.

She claimed the Union government has been sending its agencies to Telangana since last August because polls in the state are scheduled in December.

“The modus-operandi of the BJP has been that wherever polls are scheduled, the ED should reach before Narendra Modi. The same was followed in Telangana also,” Kavita alleged.

She claimed the income tax department raided more than 500 business houses, the Central Bureau of Investigation raided 100 houses, the ED 200 places and the National Investigation Agency questioned more than 500 people.

Kavitha said instead of threatening and targeting people, the Bharatiya Janata Party should tell the people what kind of development the party has carried out.

She alleged the directors of premier agencies are getting frequent term extensions because the government can “use” them at their own will. Business houses and political parties that support the BJP are not facing any charges or raids, she said.

“Look at Adani – there is no action against him. They claim the country has a double-engine government and it’s Pradani and Adani,” Kavitha alleged.

The government should give an extension to all youngsters recruited under the Agnipath scheme, she said. Under the scheme, candidates are selected to serve in the armed forces for a four-year period, after which 25 percent of them will be appointed permanently.

“There are still 3.5 lakh vacancies in the Indian Army and these youngsters should be adjusted permanently. In this country, people have sentiments with the Indian Army,” said Kavitha.