KTR questions ED’s strange aggression on Formula-E race case; says intimidation tactics won’t work

"Unlike in other cases, the ED appears to be taking a more aggressive approach in this matter. I have filed a quash petition in the High Court and have full confidence in the legal process. We will make further decisions based on the outcome," he told the press on Monday.

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao, who said he had received summons from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Formula-E case, questioned the agency’s unusual aggression in the case.

“Unlike other cases, the ED seems aggressive in this case. I have filed a quash petition in the High Court and have confidence in the legal process. We will take a further decision based on the outcome,” he told press persons here on Monday.

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Dismissing the corruption charges against him in the Formula-E race case, Rama Rao termed them to be politically motivated. He said the Congress government was misusing agencies like the ACB to target him, while failing to provide any concrete evidence of corruption against him. He questioned why no case was filed against the Formula-E race organisers, if the latter had indeed received undue benefit as accused by the government.

“Where is the undue benefit gained by either me or those who signed the agreement? There are no cases based on suspicion—only evidence can lead to prosecution,” he said.

The former Municipal Administration Minister reiterated that he stood by every decision he took as a Minister, which were all for the State’s benefit. Stating that he could not be held responsible for any procedural lapses, he said he was well prepared to face any charges legally and would not bow down to intimidation tactics of the ruling party.

Rama Rao also questioned the Chief Minister’s reasoning for cancellation of the Formula-E race and not the agreements with the Adani Group. He wondered on what basis Congress leaders were alleging corruption of Rs 600 crore in the case.

Questioning why the State government was not cancelling the lease of Outer Ring Road (ORR) despite claims of irregularities and corruption against the previous BRS regime, he went on to take a dig at the Congress government, labeling its first year in office as ‘Dhoka Nama Samvatsaram’ (Year of Betrayal).
He charged the State administration with failing to deliver on key promises, particularly crop loan waivers and farmer assurances. “The Congress has robbed farmers of confidence and is conspiring to scrap the Rythu Bharosa scheme, by imposing numerous conditions,” he said. He stated that the ongoing schemes had become a mess under the current Congress regime.

He also questioned the Congress’ inability to implement 42 per cent BC reservations in local body elections. Stating that the government was exploiting loopholes and using courts to delay justice, Rama Rao vowed that the BRS would expose Congress’s frauds through public movements during the upcoming elections to local bodies.