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Economic Times
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Telangana BJP chief slams Congress govt over phone tapping case, demands CBI probe
Synopsis Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao has slammed the Congress government's handling of the phone tapping case. He alleges a lack of seriousness in the investigation. BJP leader Bandi Sanjay was summoned for questioning. Rao demands a CBI inquiry, citing the arrest of officials but not political leaders. Bandi Sanjay claims his phone was tapped under the previous BRS regime. ANI Telangana BJP chief slams Congress govt over phone tapping case, demands CBI probe Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao on Saturday criticised the Congress-led state government for its handling of the ongoing phone tapping case, alleging a lack of seriousness in the investigation. Speaking to the ANI, Rao noted that BJP leader Bandi Sanjay was summoned to record his statement in connection with the case. "Today, the phone tapping case investigation was in progress, and Bandi Sanjay was called for his statement. The Congress government doesn't appear to be serious about the issue. So far, they have arrested only the officials, but they have not laid their hands on any political leaders who are responsible for the phone tapping. The CBI is the only answer for it. There will be a proper investigation done only if the investigation is given to the CBI. We demand that this phone tapping case be given to CBI for further investigation," he Friday, Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar demanded that the Telangana government hand over the investigation into the alleged phone tapping during the previous BRS regime to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)."It has been confirmed that judges' phones were tapped, right? Then, does the SIT even have the authority to summon judges and record their statements? Keeping this in mind, I demand that the phone tapping case be handed over to the CBI. If a letter is written to the CBI, they are ready to investigate," Bandi Sanjay told reporters after appearing before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case. Bandi Sanjay alleged that his own phone was tapped under the pretext of Maoist activity, along with those of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and several BRS MLAS during the KCR-led government."I appeared for questioning today as per the notice given by the SIT officials. It has come to light that my phones were being tapped every moment. I was even shocked to discover several things. They tapped the phones using the pretext of Maoists. Along with me, the phones of Revanth Reddy and BRS MLAs were also tapped. In fact, I was the first person to expose the issue of phone tapping," he said."I was shocked to hear the revelations made by the SIT police during the inquiry. Whatever political programs I planned, the police already knew about them in advance. They used to call our staff and ask, 'You are planning this particular program, right?' Now I understand--it was all because of the phone tapping. That's why, during KCR's regime, everyone used only WhatsApp calls. Even beggars wouldn't use regular phone calls--this shows the extent of atrocities under the BRS rule," the Karimnagar MP added that he has handed over all related information and evidence to the SIT. The phone tapping issue had earlier triggered a political row in June this year, when BRS Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR) issued a legal notice to Telangana Congress chief Mahesh Kumar Goud over allegations.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
KTR Urges BRS Cadres to Take Jubilee Hills By-Election Seriously
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Executive President K. T. Rama Rao (KTR) has urged party workers not to underestimate the importance of the upcoming Jubilee Hills by-election. He expressed sorrow over the untimely demise of MLA Maganti Gopinath, calling it a deeply unfortunate loss. KTR emphasised that the by-election must be treated with full seriousness and that the party's candidate should secure a decisive victory. "Everyone from class to mass resides in Jubilee Hills," he noted, highlighting the constituency's diverse electorate. He also reminded party members of the welfare initiatives undertaken during the KCR-led government, including the distribution of land pattas to one lakh poor families in Hyderabad under Government Orders 58 and 59.
The Print
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Andhra Cong chief Sharmila claims her phones were tapped with brother Jagan 'collusion' during KCR rule
The SIT is presently questioning retired IPS officer and former special intelligence branch chief T. Prabhakar Rao, the prime accused in the case, following his return to India earlier this month after about 15 months in the United States apparently to evade the probe and possible arrest. Sharmila's sensational claims come at a time when a Telangana Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government has intensified its probe into the alleged phone-tapping activities during the KCR-led BRS government in the state. Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Congress chief Y.S. Sharmila has alleged her phones were tapped by the K. Chandrasekhar Rao government in collusion with her brother and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy 'to damage my political career'. The accusation is that based on the orders of the then political bosses, certain police officers, led by Rao, kept a surveillance on phone conversations of several opposition leaders, including the now incumbent chief minister Revanth Reddy, businesspersons, civil servants and also some media personnel. The case was registered in Hyderabad in March 2024, three months after the Congress came to power trouncing the two-term BRS dispensation. A few police officers including former Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) DSP Praneeth Rao were arrested last year in connection with the case. The SIT is also questioning witnesses, probing the alleged interception of calls made to and from about 600 individuals, more so during the BRS second term up until 2-3 months before the 2023 polls. BRS leaders have been denying their involvement in any surveillance activities. On Tuesday, former minister and BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao sent a legal notice to Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee chief Mahesh Kumar Goud, condemning his 'baseless and degrading allegations, and false claims' on phone-tapping and demanding an immediate unconditional apology from him. Goud appeared before the SIT on Tuesday to testify in the case, and accused the previous BRS government of orchestrating a massive and illegal phone-tapping network in order to outsmart the opposition parties, leaders and manipulate the election process. Talking to reporters later, Goud demanded the registration of cases against and punishment for KCR and KTR, while charging that 'mass interception of calls, messages, and chats weakened the Congress fight in the 2018 polls.' Speaking to reporters at Visakhapatnam Wednesday, Sharmila said the phone-tapping in Telangana was 'a fact, during the previous political term, when KCR was CM there (Telangana) and Jagan in Andhra Pradesh.' 'KCR, KTR and Jagan maintained very cordial relations even putting the siblings blood relation to shame,' said Sharmila, Jagan's younger sister. 'Jagan wanted to see that I do not grow politically, financially. He wanted to bury my future. People supporting me were threatened… phone-tapping was also part of this conspiracy.' Sharmila, the daughter of late Congress chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, parted ways with her brother and YSRCP chief Jagan, who was then Andhra CM, in 2021. She had then formed the YSR Telangana Party in Hyderabad to focus on Telangana politics. The YSR siblings are also involved in a bitter fight over assets and sharing of properties, a matter which went before the National Company Law Tribunal too. 'Phone-tapping in Telangana is absolutely true. I don't know if it was a joint operation or information-sharing arrangement between the then regimes but what is clear is that phones were being tapped. I was sure that my phones, my husband's and those of people close to me were being tapped,' Sharmila said, claiming it was confirmed to her by senior YSRCP leader and Jagan's close associate Y.V. Subba Reddy. 'Subba Reddy visited me at my Hyderabad residence once and informed me about this. He even played an audio conversation from one tapping for me to listen. I doubt if Subba Reddy will now admit this,' Sharmila said, suspecting Jagan's influence on him. 'But this is the truth and I am ready to depose before any investigation, promising on the Bible and on my kids,' said the Congress leader while urging the Revanth and Chandrababu Naidu governments to 'take up the issue seriously'. 'Now, the governments have changed in both states. I am willing to cooperate with any probe. The culprits should be punished. Phone-tapping is not just unethical, it is illegal, and a violation of Constitutional rights.' Also Read: Political rivalry & now an NCLT plea over 'illegal share transfer'. YSR siblings' bitter feud baffles AP 'Just to deflect public attention' On Tuesday, BRS Working President KTR slammed the Congress government and leaders for bringing up the phone-tapping issue 'without any evidence, merely to deflect public attention from its inability to fulfill election promises.' 'The Congress government, which failed to implement any of its guarantees since coming to power, is now indulging in theatrics using fabricated issues like phone-tapping. Making such disgraceful and unfounded accusations… without a shred of evidence, is highly condemnable,' he said, according to a press statement from his office. Referring to his questioning by the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in connection with the alleged Formula E races scam, KTR said that 'as a law-abiding citizen, he has even cooperated with inquiries into politically motivated cases filed against him.' The BRS leader accused the Congress leaders of 'raking up the phone-tapping issue once again with the malicious intention of misleading voters in the upcoming local body elections'. 'The so-called case will yield nothing even as both the chief minister and the PCC president are competing in a race of lies,' KTR said, while warning that Mahesh Goud will be held accountable in the courts for making 'irresponsible and politically motivated remarks.' (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Sharmila 'is also YSR's blood', but in family bastions Kadapa & Pulivendula, brother Jagan is supreme
Hans India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Ponguleti Promises Homes for All Under Indiramma Scheme
Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy has assured that all eligible people will receive homes under the Indiramma Housing Scheme. He announced that 4.5 lakh houses are being built in the first phase. On Wednesday, he took part in a program at Satyanarayanapuram in Khammam district, where land documents (pattas) were given to beneficiaries. Ponguleti criticized BRS leaders for spreading false claims about the scheme. He said his government is sincere and committed to helping the poor, unlike the previous government. He shared that the government plans to build 20 lakh houses over the next four years. In the Paleru constituency, he promised to give a house to the eldest son in every eligible family. He added that even though the state's financial situation is difficult, the government is still issuing ration cards. So far, 19 lakh new names have been added. Ponguleti accused the previous KCR-led government of pushing Telangana into debt. He said the state now pays ₹6,500 crore in monthly interest on loans taken earlier. He criticized the past government for spending on luxury buildings instead of helping the poor. He said the focus should have been on public welfare, not political gain.
News18
02-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Telangana IAS Officer Under Fire For 'Students Must Clean Toilets' Remark
Last Updated: IAS officer Alagu Varsini has said students studying in government schools are not from a posh background and should wash their toilets, do their cooking and sweep their rooms An IAS officer from Telangana has triggered a massive political row with comments about students cleaning toilets at their schools. Her comments have come under fire, with demands that the Revanth Reddy-led state government transfer her from her post. The officer, Alagu Varsini, reportedly said students studying in government schools are not from a posh background and should wash their own toilets, do their own cooking and sweep their rooms. She is the secretary of the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society and has said 'selective editing" of her comments had led to the controversy. The opposition, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has called her statement as displaying discriminatory attitudes towards students from marginalised communities, prompting the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) to take note of the incident while also seeking details. According to a report published by NDTV, the NCSC on Monday issued a notice to Telangana chief secretary K Ramakrishna Rao and director general of police (DGP) Dr Jitender, asking about the comments. It has sought replies within a fortnight. The BRS has alleged that Varsini's comments are not only derogatory but can be seen as pushing the new generation of Dalit children into a similar situation as their previous generations. Party leader K Kavitha accused the Congress government in the state of taking away grants from Gurukul schools that enabled them to hire cleaners and caretakers. She targeted Revanth Reddy for being 'anti-poor, anti-Dalit" and demanded the officer's removal as well as the restoration of social welfare grants in these schools. 'Congress government's anti-poor attitude is reflected in this shocking behaviour by an official, at Social Welfare Gurukul Society. The evidence of which is available in the audio clip !! Each social welfare school was granted Rs 40,000 per month during the BRS rule for hiring four temporary workers for cleaning tasks. This has been stopped by Congress government starting May this year. The government has also done away with having assistant caretakers in the 240 schools, forcing the students to take up the role of wardens and manage kitchens. Now the officer is Forcing children to clean toilets in schools !!" (sic) she said in a post on X, where she also attached the viral audio clip. Kavitha said the social welfare grants cancelled by the Congress had been set aside by the previous KCR-led regime. 'The statements goes against the very concept of establishing Gurukuls to protect students from marginalised communities from caste and class bias. This behaviour is discriminatory, exploitative, and violates basic principles of child rights and dignity. It only Reflects Revanth Reddy government's anti poor, anti Dalith attitude !! I demand the government to immediately take steps to remove the officer and start giving the required funds to run the social welfare schools properly," (sic) she added. Congress government's anti-poor attitude is reflected in this shocking behaviour by an official, at Social Welfare Gurukul evidence of which is available in the audio clip !! Each social welfare school was granted Rs 40,000 per month during the BRS rule for hiring… — Kavitha Kalvakuntla (@RaoKavitha) May 28, 2025 WHAT IS THE CONTROVERSY? Varsini's comments recently went viral after an audio clip surfaced in which she was heard saying 'holistic education includes teaching sanitation and personal hygiene". She, however, told NDTV that her intention was to ensure children under her care received 'an all-round education, both from books and lessons on self-care". '… the children come to us when they are 10 years old and leave when they are 18. In that time we want to provide a holistic education, not just a bookish education. If they enter the system at nine or 10 years old, and I make them study for nine hours and send them back, then what will they learn about self-care or cleanliness? Is education only from books? I don't think so," she was quoted. First Published: June 02, 2025, 16:34 IST
