Rama Krishna Sangem
Ruling TRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha on August 22, Monday rejected the charges against her in liquor scam of Delhi. She termed the charges as vindictiveness by BJP which is in power at the Centre. Kavitha addressed a media conference in Hyderabad and made it clear that she was in no way involved in the scam in which the CBI has registered a case. Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia is a prime suspect in the scam.
Kavitha, daughter of Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) has been dragged into the row by BJP MP from West Delhi Parvesh Sahib SIngh Verrma in a media conference in Delhi on August 21, Sunday. The MP alleged that a team of people from Hyderabad camped in a Delhi five star hotel for several weeks and manipulated the capital city’s liquor policy, benefiting a mafia. Around Rs 100 crore changed hands in the deal, said Verma.
Verma said that the members of CM KCR were involved in the scam which was masterminded by some liquor barons from Telangana. BJP former MLA from Delhi Manjinder Singh Sirsa specifically mentioned the name of Kavitha. “Kavitha tried to reopen a closed brewery in Punjab by paying Rs 4.5 crore – Rs 3 crore in cash and Rs 1.5 crore in credit,” said Sirsa. The hotel room was booked by the members of liquor barons, he said.
May sue BJP leaders:
However, both the BJP leaders haven’t mentioned whether charges were based on an investigation by the CBI. It is also not clear what evidence they have to level allegations against Kavitha and the ruling party members. CBI on its part too is silent on the charges of BJP leaders. Verma said that Sisodia has received Rs 150 crore kickbacks in the deal.
Sources close to Kavitha said the MLC might sue under defamation law both the BJP leaders for raising baseless allegations against her. “She is consulting legal experts to file cases against Verma and Sirsa, by dragging her into this scam. She might approach the courts seeking injunction order restraining the BJP leaders from referring her name in this regard,” said sources.
Sisodia too rejected the charges and said that some BJP leaders have offered him to drop the case, if he joins their party. “I will never every join BJP as long as I am alive,” said Sisodia. Kavitha too alleged that the BJP was trying harass CM KCR for his strident attack against BJP. “Even I questioned the release of rapists of Bilkis Bano case, these charges are nothing but witch hunt against me,’ said she. However, she will cooperate with CBI’s probe.
The liquor scam case assumes significance in view of the heated political atmosphere in Telangana. The resignation of a Congress MLA Komotireddy Rajagopal Reddy and his joining of BJP, thus leading to a by-poll in Munugode assembly segment too added political tensions. KCR too a couple of days said that he was not afraid of ED or CBI because he hasn’t done anything wrong.
Kavitha recalled how the family members of KCR had faced allegations during the separate Telangana state struggle.”We never bowed our head to anyone then and now too. BJP leaders are dreaming of weakening KCR by leveling charges against me. But, this will remain a dream and a wasteful attempt. All of our efforts are only strengthen our country on all fronts,” said Kavitha.
