KTR dismisses allegations against him in Formula- E Car Race; Calls them ‘baseless’

Pointing out that the Election Commission had not issued any notices if there was a violation of the election code, he wanted to know from the leaders in the Congress government on what basis they ventured to question him on behalf of the Election Commission

Hyderabad: BRS working president and legislator K T Rama Rao has dismissed the allegations levelled against him in Formula-E car race issue as “mere accusations without any factual basis”.

In a statement here on Saturday, he said the erstwhile BRS government was forced to take the decision to host Formula-E Season 10 due to the lack of sponsors and “there was neither any conspiracy, nor any corruption” involved in it.

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“It was all aimed at enhancing the image of Hyderabad. It is part of a policy decision intended to organise it even in the next season also”, he asserted.

Pointing out that the Election Commission had not issued any notices if there was a violation of the election code, he wanted to know from the leaders in the Congress government on what basis they ventured to question him on behalf of the Election Commission.

Quoting the report of the Nielsen Sports Analysis, he highlighted that the Formula E race in Hyderabad had considerable economic impact. The Rs 54 crore payment to the Formula-E organizers was made by the department concerned which he represented as it’s Minister. He questioned the Congress leaders as to how the Rs 54 crore payment could become Rs 600 crore as claimed by them. He stated that the figures were unclear and it seemed to be “an attempt to tarnish his reputation”.

He explained that the Rs 8 crore mentioned n the issue by the present ruling party were tax returns, which sponsors would cover. He asserted that all payments made through Indian Overseas Bank were in accordance with the rules.

The BRS leader emphasized that there was no personal gain involved and that the allegations were politically motivated. He pointed out that if the payments made to the Formula-E organizers amounted to graft, why no case was filed against the organisers.

He stated that if any losses were incurred due to Formula-E, that could be the fall out of the ruling party’s irrational decisions and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s lack of foresight.

Reiterating his commitment to transparency and accountability in his role as a the then minister, he said that they failed to establish if I was benefitted by even a single rupee from it and dismissed as that owed to Congress Party leaders’ vengeance.