Hyderabad:

Rahul Gandhi wants to save the Constitution, but his own party is flouting it by poaching BRS legislators, alleged BRS leader KT Rama Rao ahead of key local body polls in Telangana. The BRS has been been hit by a series of defections. 

KT Rama Rao, popularly known as KTR, mocked the Congress, pointing out that the state congress chief has hinted at inducting more BRS MLAs after the Makar Sankranti festival. Rahul Gandhi is expected to join a Samvidhan Bachao rally in Hyderabad along with party president Mallikarjun Kharge in the last week of January.

“Samvidhan Bachao (Save the Constitution) Rally by RG in Hyderabad PCC president says Congress will flout the same Constitution & induct more BRS MLAs. What a Great way to save Constitution @RahulGandhi Ji,” KTR posted on X, taking a swipe at Mr Gandhi.  

The KCR-led BRS had won 39 of the 119 Assembly constituencies in the elections held last year, while Congress came to power winning 64 seats. Overall, 10 MLAs defected from the BRS to the Congress after the state polls.

On Sunday, there was an ugly public spat between Huzurabad MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy and Jagtial MLA Dr Sanjay Kumar at a review meeting in Karimnagar. Both were elected on the BRS party ticket in November 2023. Reddy asked Sanjay Kumar which party he represented as the latter was one of the 10 BRS MLAs who had switched to the Congress without resigning as BRS legislator.

“Ask him to resign and then talk. It is alms given by KCR that he became MLA. Not just him, even the other 10 MLAs should resign. We won’t allow them to go around without doing that,” said Padi Kaushik Reddy, BRS MLA.

KTR appreciated Kaushik Reddy’s action of confronting the defectors and said he pities the defectors as the Congress doesn’t have the courage to own them and they themselves cannot say which party they belong to.
 

New Delhi:

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned BRS leader and former Telangana minister KT Rama Rao in connection with alleged financial irregularities linked to the Formula E race held in Hyderabad in February 2023. Senior IAS officer Arvind Kumar and former Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) chief engineer BLN Reddy have also been summoned in the same case.

KTR has been summoned on January 7, while Mr Kumar and Mr Reddy are scheduled for questioning on January 2 and 3, respectively. The probe is being conducted following an FIR lodged by the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

The allegations centre on unauthorised financial transfers totalling Rs 55 crore from the HMDA to Formula E Operations Limited (FEO). Investigators allege that the funds were transferred without mandatory government approvals, despite the state’s original agreement limiting its role to providing infrastructure and civic amenities for the event. Additional transfers of Rs 54.8 crore for the 2023 race are also under examination, along with a broader financial commitment exceeding Rs 600 crore for future races.

The Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) registered by the ED names KTR, Mr Kumar, and Mr Reddy as accused. 

This is the second money laundering case implicating the family of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. KTR’s sister, K Kavitha, was previously arrested and later released on bail in the Delhi excise policy case. The ED’s summons marks another political and legal challenge for the BRS party.

Hyderabad:

A corruption case has been filed against KT Rama Rao, former minister of Telangana and the son of former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, over alleged irregularities in Formula E race held at Hyderabad in February 2023. The Anti-Corruption Bureau, which filed the case, has alleged that Rs 55 crore was allegedly transferred to Formula E organisers on the verbal orders of Mr Rao. 

Mr Rao has alleged that he is being targeted by the Congress government of Revanth Reddy, which came to power in the state last year, ending the 10-year rule of Mr Rao’s party, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi or BRS.

But on November 7, he said he was ready to face any inquiry. “It is the governor’s discretion. I have no objection if the governor gives permission for prosecution. We welcome it. We are ready for any inquiry,” he had told reporters.

In October this year, the Anti-Corruption Bureau had sought Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma’s nod to investigate KTR in the Formula E case.

Sources said former Municipal Administration and Urban Development principal secretary Arvind Kumar has admitted transferring Rs 55 crore to the event organisers on the verbal orders of the former minister who held the portfolio.

The irregularities in the transfer were multiple. Not only was the transfer made on verbal orders, it circumvented the cabinet approval and was done after elections were announced in Telangana without taking permission of the Election Commission.

It has also been alleged that the payment was made in pounds without the clearance of the Reserve Bank of India.

Mr Rao, who is also known as KTR, also held the Industry portfolio under the previous government headed by his father and BRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao. 

To conduct seasons nine,10,11 and 12 of the Formula E Race, the Municipal Administration and Urban Development department or MAUD, had signed a tripartite agreement with Formula E Organisers (FEO) and Ace Nxt Gen Pvt limited in 2022. The ninth season of the car race was held in Hyderabad on February 10 and 11, 2023 and the next one scheduled for February 2024.

The promoter, Ace Nxt Gen, then dropped out, citing losses. 
Since the FEO was willing to organise the next season, Arvind Kumar transferred Rs 55 crore – including Rs 9 crore as taxes – to it, allegedly on the verbal order of Mr Rao.

After the Congress came to power last year, the Formula E Organisers pulled out and cancelled the February race.

Hyderabad:

The Telangana governor has cleared an investigation against BRS leader and former state minister KT Rama Rao over alleged irregularities to the tune of Rs 55 crore in the organisation of a Formula E race in Hyderabad last year and the deal for future races, sources said on Friday. 

Mr Rao, who is also known as KTR, held the Industry and Municipal Administration and Urban Development portfolios, among others, under the previous government headed by his father and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Chief K Chandrashekar Rao. 

The Anti-Corruption Bureau had sought Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma’s nod to investigate KTR in the Formula E case. The Bureau has alleged that, as the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) minister, Mr Rao had given oral instructions for the transfer of Rs 55 crore to one of the race’s organisers, bypassing laid-down procedures. 

During the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation, which was triggered by a complaint from MAUD, a senior official from the department, Arvind Kumar –  who held the post of principal secretary at the time – had admitted that the instructions had been issued verbally by the then minister. 

Mr Rao, who is the MLA from Sircilla, had said last month that Hyderabad had benefited from hosting the Formula E race, which could generate a revenue of Rs 750 crore. He alleged that he was being targeted by the current Congress government led by Revanth Reddy – which dislodged the BRS last year after nearly a decade in power since Telangana’s formation in 2014 – and the BJP.

“Even the fear of imprisonment won’t stop me. If the government permits the investigation, I am ready to go to jail. I will plan a ‘padyatra‘ (foot march) while I am behind bars,” he said. 

The former minister had also claimed that cabinet approval was not needed for transferring the money. 

Contract Details

To conduct seasons nine,10,11 and 12 of the Formula E Race, MAUD had signed a tripartite agreement with Formula E Organisers (FEO) and Ace Nxt Gen Pvt limited in 2022. The ninth season of the car race was held in Hyderabad on February 10 and 11, 2023.

The promoter, Ace Nxt Gen, then dropped out, citing losses. Since the FEO was willing to organise the next season, Arvind Kumar transferred Rs 55 crore – including Rs 9 crore as taxes – to it, allegedly on the advice of Mr Rao

Another alleged irregularity included transferring a tranche of money to FEO after the schedule for the Assembly elections in Telangana was announced, without taking permission from the Election Commission, and making payments in pounds without obtaining clearance from the RBI.

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s promises on caste census and doing away with the 50 per cent cap on reservation was challenged today by Bharat Rashtra Samithi’s KT Rama Rao, who had brought a number of tribal women to Delhi to highlight their plight.  

“You (Rahul Gandhi) are speaking on Dalits and tribals, but the women of Telangana are seeking for your help but you aren’t there. What use is this lip service?” he said in an exclusive interview to NDTV.

At a press conference earlier, he said, “An hour ago LoP Rahul Gandhi was speaking in Ranchi. We want him to listen to the tribal women of Telangana who have suffered”.

“The women complain that their lands are being taken, and they don’t know where their sons and husbands are… Atrocious violations of human rights has happened. These women have met officials at NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) and submitted their plea,” added the Working President of BRS, who has been vocal about Congress “misrule” since the Grand Old Party unseated the BRS in the state election held earlier this year.

The Congress and the BRS have accused each other of complicity in the violence at Lagacharla village, where government officials were attacked when they had gone to discuss land acquisition with the villagers. The Congress said the violence was “KTR’s plan to destabilise the government”, pointing to what they called “fraudulent” acquisitions during the BRS rule.

“You acquired land to make a pharma village. But the people of the land did not want to give it. And now this is the violent attack on them. They are being tortured. Is this democracy?” said Mr Rao, who was a minister in the government led by his father, K Chandrashekar Rao.  

“The CM’s brother — he doesn’t hold any position — openly threatens tribals. But he marches in with goons while the police acted as the private army of the Chief Minister. And there is absolute silence from the national capital and Rahul Gandhi. Women and children being tortured but complete silence,’ Mr Rao, popularly dubbed KTR, added.

New Delhi:

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. Popularly known as KTR, Mr Rao is the son of former Chief Minister and BRS supremo K Chandrashekar Rao. He is on a visit to Delhi, during which he met Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and flagged alleged corruption involving Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in the implementation of AMRUT scheme in the state.

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 has alleged that the Congress government was facilitating corruption in AMRUT tenders to benefit a company linked to Revanth Reddy’s brother-in-law Sujan Reddy. He has said the company, Sodha Constructions, recorded a meagre profit in the years before the Congress came to power in Telangana and lacks the credentials to handle such large projects. This, he said, raises questions about the tender process.

Speaking to NDTV, the BRS leader said he hoped that the Centre would take action. “This company lacks necessary qualifications. This is the biggest example of crony capitalism. BJP and Congress fight against each other, but in Telangana i see Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani. The BJP sits quietly against the Congress government in Telangana,” he said. While the Congress holds 76 seats in the 119-member Telangana Assembly, the BRS is the main Opposition with 28 MLAs. The BJP holds eight seats in the House. Earlier, Revanth Reddy brother-in-law had sued KTR for defamation over his social media posts alleging corruption in the tender process.

Telangana Revenue Minister said the BRS leader had travelled to Delhi to seek the help of “bigwigs”. He also questioned if Mr Rao was in Delhi to “plead” with Union ministers to withdraw charges against him in the Formula-E race funds transfer case. The minister accused KTR of diverting Rs 55 crore to a Formula-E racing company without the cabinet’s approval. The matter is now being probed by the state police’s anti-corruption bureau.

Ever since the Congress unseated the BRS to form the government in Telangana last year, multiple issues have triggered heated exchanges between KTR and Revanth Reddy. Many of these exchanges have also escalated to personal attacks, with KTR referring to Mr Reddy as a “Cheap Minister” and the Congress leader saying that KTR is “day-dreaming” that his party will return to power.

Hyderabad:

A farmhouse in Telangana’s Janwada, said to belong to Raj Pakala, brother-in-law of former minister and BRS chief KT Rama Rao, was raided by the Cyberabad Police when a party was in progress.

Thirty people were said to have been partying and stocks of foreign liquor were reportedly seized when the Cyberabad Special Operations Team conducted its raid on Saturday night following complaints by locals.

The revellers were all tested for drug abuse. One person, identified as Vijay, reportedly tested positive for cocaine. All the rest tested negative.

The police have filed cases against two people – one of them is Vijay, accused of abusing banned drug and second, Raj Pakala, for allowing his premises to be misused.

The police have gathered at Oriental Villa No. 4 — residence of Kalavakuntla Taraka Rama Rao in Rayadurgam, and Villa No. 5 belonging to Shailender Paka, and Villa No. 40 belonging to Raj Pakala.

Hyderabad:

A Telangana court today told state minister Konda Surekha to take down her social media posts linking BRS working president KT Rama Rao to the divorce of actors Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya.

A city civil court in Hyderabad was hearing a petition by Mr Rao, who had filed a Rs 100 crore defamation suit against the minister.

Ms Surekha, who is Telangana’s Minister for Forest and Environment, stoked controversy earlier this month when she alleged that KT Rama Rao, commonly known as KTR, was the reason behind Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s divorce in 2021.

She claimed that KTR, a former minister, tapped the phones of actresses and blackmailed them. In this connection, she said he was behind the divorce of the actors. 

“It is KT Rama Rao because of whom (actress) Samantha’s divorce happened… He was a minister at that time and used to tap the phones of the actresses and then find their weaknesses to blackmail them… He used to make them drug addicts and then do this… Everyone knows this, Samantha, Naga Chaitanya, his family — everybody is aware that such a thing happened,” she had said.

Both actors released separate statements, calling the remarks “absolutely ridiculous” and asking the minister to be “responsible and respectful of individuals’ privacy”.

Mr Chaitanya’s father and famous Telugu actor Akkineni Nagarjuna also filed a defamation case against Ms Surekha, alleging that the minister’s remarks damaged his family’s reputation. 

Several cine personalities such as Chiranjeevi, junior NTR, Mahesh Babu, and Vijay Devarakonda also hit out at the Congress leader.

Amid the massive backlash surrounding her remark, Ms Surekha apologised to the actors and their families.

“I spoke about a family. It was an unexpected slip of the tongue on my part. When I saw their tweets, I felt bad. When I realised that, I felt bad that I hurt someone. So I unconditionally withdraw my statement. But in KTR’s case, there is no going back. I demand his apology,” the minister said.

Amid the massive backlash surrounding her remark on the divorce of celebrity couple Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Telangana Minister Konda Surekha apologised to the actors’ families, but did not back down from her allegations against Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader KT Rama Rao.

Hyderabad:

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao sent a legal notice to Telangana’s Forests and Environment Minister Konda Surekha on Wednesday for defamation after she alleged that he was responsible for the divorce of actors Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu.

KT Rama Rao’s lawyer has asked the minister to withdraw the statement and tender an unconditional public apology to the BRS leader within 24 hours for tarnishing his reputation with a “malicious and defamatory act”.

Konda Surekha was also asked to refrain from engaging in any further malicious or frivolous defamatory acts.

According to the notice, if the minister fails to comply with these demands, KTR will initiate necessary and appropriate legal action against her.

The notice served by a legal firm on behalf of KTR states that due to a vitriolic campaign, their client was subjected to scandalous attacks with the sole motive of injuring his reputation.

“You along with media houses, have conspired to malign our client’s reputation based on false information, assumptions, lies and frivolous allegations,” reads the notice.

Ms Surekha made the allegations against the former minister while talking to media persons earlier in the day.

She alleged that Mr Rao was behind many actresses leaving films and marrying early.

She said the BRS leader was addicted to drugs and he blackmailed film personalities.

Popular Tollywood actor Akkineni Nagarjuna, who is the father of Naga Chaitanya, reacted strongly to the comments made by the minister.

Nagarjuna asked her not to use the lives of movie stars who stay away from politics to criticise her opponents.

“I strongly condemn the comments of the Honorable Minister Mrs. Konda Surekha. Don’t use the lives of movie stars who stay away from politics to criticize your opponents. Please respect other people’s privacy,” Nagarjuna posted on ‘X’.

“As a woman in a responsible position, your comments and accusations against our family are completely irrelevant and false. I request you to withdraw your comments immediately,” he added.

Naga Chaitanya also re-posted his father’s tweet.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)