KTR calls ACB probe wild goose chase, says same questions repeated
Stating that just like there was 'no Mysore in Mysore bonda', BRS working president says ACB's corruption case had no corruption in it
Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Thursday said the Anti-Corruption Bureau was on a wild goose chase, and that for the seven hours they questioned him, officials had nothing new to ask with the same questions being repeated several times. Stating that just like there was ‘no Mysore in Mysore bonda’, he said the ACB’s corruption case had no corruption in it.
Speaking to the media after coming out of the ACB office in Banjara Hills, where he had reached at 10 am, Rama Rao reiterated that the ACB probe was a politically motivated exercise orchestrated by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. However, he declared his willingness to cooperate further, asserting that he had nothing to hide as he had done nothing wrong.
“This is a frivolous and politically motivated case. The officials are on a wild goose chase. Though they might arrest and imprison me eventually, I will come out clean. I have complete faith in the judiciary and will explore all legal avenues,” he asserted.
Rama Rao was given a rousing welcome by the party cadre as he stepped out of the ACB office, with a massive rally being taken to Telangana Bhavan in a mark of defiance, raising slogans against Revanth Reddy and the Congress government. At the party headquarters, he was given a ‘mangala harati’ with supporters carrying him on their shoulders into his office.
Addressing the media persons at Telangana Bhavan, the BRS working president revealed that ACB officials had posed 82 questions, many of which were repetitive. “The questions were prepared by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy himself. The officials, despite their competence, appeared clueless about the case,” he said, adding that the frivolous case was filed against him under political pressure from Revanth Reddy.
He observed that the FIR lacked specifics about beneficiaries or proceeds of the alleged crime. The FIR failed to identify any beneficiary or proceeds of crime, underscoring the lack of evidence in the case, he said.
“The funds were transferred with my approval, and the Formula-E Operations Limited representatives confirmed receipt. Where is the corruption in this case? If misappropriation occurred, who benefited? These questions remain unanswered,” he said.
“Revanth Reddy, who himself has a criminal history, seems to derive sadistic pleasure from targeting his political opponents and sending them to jail. This case is nothing but a criminal waste of resources and abuse of the law,” he said, adding that even if he was arrested for Revanth Reddy’s political pleasure, truth and justice would prevail.
The former Minister defended his decision to release funds from HMDA to host the Formula-E race, citing the need to protect Hyderabad and Telangana’s global brand image in the absence of a promoter. “If required, I would take the same decision again,” he said, accusing the Congress government of abusing State machinery for political vendetta.
Later, addressing supporters at Telangana Bhavan, Rama Rao expressed gratitude for their solidarity and reiterated his commitment to working for Telangana’s development. “In the last decade, I worked with utmost dedication, leaving no scope for corruption. My efforts to attract foreign investments have consistently aimed at placing Telangana on par with developed nations,” he declared.
He wanted the party leaders to continue questioning the Congress government and Revanth Reddy over their failed policies and unfulfilled promises to the people of Telangana, even if another 100 cases were filed. Rama Rao also took a dig at Revanth Reddy’s administration, stating that even a year after assuming office, the people of Telangana did not recognise him as the Chief Minister, with many even forgetting his name.
Meanwhile, tensions ran high briefly outside the ACB office when police officials objected to Rama Rao addressing the media. A minor argument ensued, with him questioning why the police were scared if he addressed the media. However, he left for Telangana Bhavan after the police stated that he was obstructing traffic.
