Another Case of Cash-for-vote Scam Unveiled

Introduction

We heard about the cash-for-vote scam during the first tenure of the United Progressive Alliance government when the left parties supporting the then government from outside protesting against its decision to ‘Ok’ the Nuclear pact the United States of America. After that, there have been scams and allegations of scams putting various UPA ministers in a spot of bother. This time around, the new cash-for-vote scam came from southern India. The Anti-corruption Bureau of Telangana has booked the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Member of State Legislative Assembly in connection with this scam. The person who has been portrayed in the bad light is TDP MLA A. Revanth Reddy. On June 7, 2015, the MLA was arrested by the sleuths of ACB from the state of Telangana along with two others.

Arrest of TDP MLA

The TDP MLA was formally called for the interrogation by the sleuths of the Anti-corruption Bureau from the state of Telangana after they got him arrested and remanded to the judicial custody for 14 days. The ACB officers nabbed the TDP MLA A. Revanth Reddy when he was handing over Rs. 50 lakh to nominated member Elvis Stephenson on May 31, 2015. The money was being given to the nominated member to make him vote for TDP-BJP combine candidate in legislative council or state upper house elections. The sleuths from the ACB laid a trap for the TDP leader and two accomplices after a complaint was filed by the nominated member Elvis Stephenson. At that time, the opposition party members were quick to respond with an allegation that the money was about to change hands at the behest of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP supremo Nara Chandrababu Naidu.

Questioning of TDP MLA

Through the questioning of the TDP MLA A. Revanth Reddy, the ACB officials are trying to get information from him about the source of the money that was to change hands. It is learned from the reliable circles within the ACB that the money was to be paid in two parts. The MLA was caught handing over the first installment. They have come to know that further Rs. 4.5 crore rupees were to be paid as part of the Rs. 5-crore deal. The officials are also trying to find the roles of other political leaders whose names TDP MLA disclosed during the initial questioning. The cops are expected to stitch together the details of this murky deal.

Opposition Party Allegations

The leaders of the Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS) are of the view that the TDP MLA A. Revanth Reddy met the nominated member Elvis Stephenson at the behest of TDP Chairman and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu. In order to counter the view that they are trying to take advantage of the situation, the TRS leaders that they are in possession of an audio tape that connects this TDP MLA to Chandrababu Naidu. In keeping with their words, these TRS leaders have come out with the audio tape of the telephonic discussion between TDP MLA and Chandrababu Naidu and played it before the media in a hurriedly convened meeting on June 7, 2015.  However, it is up to the authorities to adjudge the veracity of this audio tape before submitting the same before the court when the case comes for hearing after 14 days.