Andhra, T’gana spar over note-for-vote

 A case has been registered here against Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for alleged illegal tapping the phones of his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Chandrababu Naidu in the backdrop of the cash-for-votes scam, police said on Monday. According to the Inspector of III-Town Police Station, B Tirumala Rao, a Vizag-based advocate NVV Prasad lodged a complaint against KCR for violating the basic rights of Naidu and “tarnishing” his image by tapping his telephone lines.

In his complaint, the assistant Public Prosecutor accused TRS of deliberately trying to snoop on TDP members. Based on the complaint, a case has been registered against KCR under Sections 464, 647, 471, 166, 167 and 120/B of IPC.

Meanwhile, a purported conversation in an audio tape between Chandrababu Naidu and nominated MLA <g data-gr-id="32">Elvys</g> Stephenson, aired in a section of local TV channels has provided a fresh twist to the cash-for-votes controversy. On Sunday, Parakala Prabhakar Advisor (Communications) to the Andhra government strongly denied reports saying that the tapes were fabricated and the AP government will take up the issue seriously.

The reported conversation suggested that the Andhra CM was giving “assurance of all sorts” to the MLA if he voted for the TDP nominee in the Telangana Legislative Council election. Prabhakar further alleged that the Telangana government was trying to tarnish the image of the AP chief minister by resorting to cheap tactics.

“It is not the chief minister’s conversation. How come they are available outside. Telangana Government has to answer this. Telangana CM and Home minister should give answers,” Parakala said. He said that the Telangana CM was trying to mislead the people of Andhra Pradesh by resorting to “cheap tricks.” 

The anti-corruption bureau of Telangana is in the process of questioning TDP MLA Revanth Reddy and two others who have been arrested in the cash-for-vote case.