Hyderabad: BJP Legislature Party floor leader Aleti Maheshwar Reddy on Thursday alleged that Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy avoided an open debate on corruption charges levelled against him.
Maheshwar Reddy claimed that he waited at the Assembly Media Point with documentary evidence. However, he alleged that the Minister did not turn up for the Ponguleti open debate challenge.
The BJP leader said party legislators and MLCs joined him at the Media Point. According to him, they waited from noon until 2 pm for Ponguleti to respond to the allegations.
Maheshwar Reddy challenged the Revenue Minister to explain alleged irregularities concerning lands listed under Section 22A. He also raised allegations involving property transfers, quid-pro-quo transactions and commissions.
Ponguleti open debate challenge covers land allegations
Maheshwar Reddy alleged that assets valued at nearly Rs 15,000 crore moved from the Phoenix group to companies linked to Ponguleti.
He questioned the reasons behind the alleged transactions and demanded an explanation from the Minister. He also sought answers over the alleged land dealings.
In addition, Maheshwar Reddy referred to remarks made by Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy about a possible conspiracy. He demanded that Ponguleti respond to those remarks as well.
The BJP leader sought investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate into the allegations. Moreover, he demanded a House committee inquiry.
Maheshwar Reddy said the BJP was prepared to submit its evidence to investigating agencies. He added that the party was also ready to place the material before the Lokayukta.
Ponguleti open debate row extends to Bhu Bharati
Maheshwar Reddy also criticised the Congress government’s implementation of Bhu Bharati. He alleged that land-related irregularities continued even after the introduction of the new system.
The BJP leader challenged Ponguleti to counter the allegations using documentary evidence. Otherwise, he demanded that the Minister resign from the Cabinet.
Maheshwar Reddy said the BJP would take the allegations to the public. He also announced plans to write an open letter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi seeking accountability over the charges.
The BJP leader maintained that the Ponguleti open debate challenge had given the Revenue Minister an opportunity to respond publicly. He alleged that Ponguleti failed to use that opportunity despite the BJP legislators waiting at the Assembly Media Point.