Rama Krishna Sangem
Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons to BRS MLC K Kavitha to appears before it in connection with Delhi liquor scam on September 15, Friday are seen as a consequence to fast changing political dynamics in Telangana. The timing of the notices on Thursday maybe a news officially, but some speculation has been going on it in the political circles for sometime. So, it’s no surprise.
ED has recalled Kavitha after grilling her for three days in New Delhi on March 16, 20 and 21 this year. When she went to the ED office last time, the MLC handed over half a dozen mobile phones used by her to the sleuths. Then the ED alleged that she had destroyed her phones only to hide her Whatsapp messages/chats with others linked to the scam. Kavitha, however, maintained that she had nothing to hide or have with the scam.
There has been a kind of silence from ED on the follow up for the last six months since her last appearance before them. We don’t know the details of forensic reports of the used mobile phones. Of course, there are some developments in the case since recently. Reports say that YCP MP Magunta Srinivasa Reddy and Arun Ramchandran Pillai, arrested in the case, have turned approvers in the case. Approver means, an accused offering to help investigating agency.
However, late in the night, Pillai’s lawyer in a statement, denied his client turned as an approver in the case. The lawyer warned against those who are spreading such reports with legal action.
Kavitha: “Our legal team will deal with it”
MLC Kavitha on Thursday evening said that there was nothing to worry about the notices from ED to her. “Our BRS legal team will deal with the issue and we will follow their advice,” she told the media in Hyderabad. To what extent the role of two newly turned approvers will play is not known. Some say, Pillai is a close aide of Kavitha, but she denied it and said that her role was nothing beyond that of a politician who might help those who come by.
Kavitha is an issue for BJP
On the other hand, MLC Kavitha has become a major issue for BJP in Telangana. Several of its leaders, especially those who joined since recently from other parties have been demanding that ED not arresting her has damaged the party’s electoral prospects in the state. A Chandrasekhar, a former minister openly demanded Home Minister Amit Shah when he came to Telangana in April that she must be arrested to show that there is no no nexus between BJP and BRS.
Surprisingly, some others too voiced the similar view. As there was no response from the BJP on this, Chandrasekhar left BJP and joined Congress later. Whenever there is an internal meeting of BJP in Delhi, leaders from the state made it a point to tell the top brass that ED not being pursuing liquor scam case against Kavitha, daughter of CM KCR, has become a negative point to BJP among the public.
Now that there is a revival in the case and Kavitha has been called again, this section of BJP maybe pleased with it. These leaders feel that any impression among people that BRS and BJP are hand in glove would damage their winning chances in Telangana. In that case, Congress will benefit and emerge as challenger to the ruling BRS. “We are of the view that ED keeping silent on Kavitha has hurt our image, now it will be better,” said a BJP state committee member.
At the same time, BRS leaders too are of the opinion that ED notices to Kavitha won’t do any damage to them, but benefit to some extent, if any. If an impression is created that BRS has compromised with BJP, it would be a minus point to CM KCR, who has huge following among Muslims. If that impression persists, a section of Muslims may go to Congress. ED summons to Kavitha will definitely remove that impression, say BRS leaeders.
