TPCC issues show cause notice to Shabbir Ali over remarks on party

The Telangana Congress has issued a show-cause notice to Mohammed Ali Shabbir after an alleged audio clip went viral on social media. TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud said disciplinary action had been initiated while dismissing the allegations and urging restraint

Hyderabad: The Telangana Congress has issued a show-cause notice to Government Advisor and former Minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir after an alleged audio conversation, in which he purportedly accused party leaders of selling positions for money, went viral on social media.

Speaking informally with media persons on Saturday, TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud said the party had initiated disciplinary action and urged restraint in reacting to the controversy. “There is no need to react hastily to Shabbir Ali’s allegations. We have issued a show-cause notice to Shabbir Ali,” Goud said.

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The audio clip, reportedly featuring a conversation between Shabbir Ali and another party leader, has been widely circulated on social media. In the purported recording, Shabbir Ali is alleged to have accused sections of the State Congress leadership of offering party positions in exchange for money. He also allegedly made remarks suggesting that some individuals were involved in the exploitation of women in the party.

However, Goud sought to counter the allegations, stating that the audio clip was nearly a year old. “Nizamabad people know my character and my assets. Given his long experience in politics, it is inappropriate for Shabbir Ali to speak in such a manner. It is regrettable to speak disparagingly about women,” Goud said.

Addressing the controversy surrounding the Rajya Sabha nomination of Meenakshi Natarajan, the TPCC chief maintained that no criminal case existed against her and that only a notice had been issued by a local court. “How can there be a case when there is no FIR?” Goud asked.

He also criticised the role of the Election Commission of India and the nomination scrutiny process, alleging that the investigation had been influenced by the Prime Minister’s Office. “There is nothing wrong in hauling up the Returning Officer in this issue for acting under political pressure,” the TPCC president reportedly remarked.

Responding to comments made by a Madhya Pradesh minister that details relating to Natarajan’s nomination had been leaked from within the Telangana Congress, Goud attempted to downplay the allegation. According to him, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is conducting a detailed inquiry into alleged internal leaks and covert activities within the party.