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TDP MLA claims innocence
Subsequently, the company lodged a complaint in the Raipur police station. While a few supporters of the MLA were charged in the case, the MLA was spared. But a few of the MLA supporters were implicated in the extortion case, sparing the MLA. Against this backdrop, Central investigation agencies swung into action
Nellore: K Ramakrishna, TDP MLA of Venkatagiri in Nellore district, is at the centre of a controversy once again. The 55-year old two-time MLA has been charged in a case of extortion.Ahmadabad-based contracting firm Monte Carlo Limited has been executing the Krishnapatnam-Bellary railway line works. Secretary of Monte Carlo Limited Kalpesh Desai had gone on record, a couple of days ago, alleging that the MLA had demanded Rs 5crore as commission in return for his cooperation' to let the railway line pass through his constituency.
Subsequently, the company lodged a complaint in the Raipur police station. While a few supporters of the MLA were charged in the case, the MLA was spared. But a few of the MLA supporters were implicated in the extortion case, sparing the MLA. Against this backdrop, Central investigation agencies swung into action and elicited more details from the company’s officials in Hyderabad.
A high level political drama was witnessed at the MLA's home-town around the same time as he hurriedly convened a media conference at the local TDP office on Thursday and backed by TDP district president Beeda Ravichandra, shifted the blame on to the YSRCP.
The duo said it was the YSRCP which was trying to scuttle the railway project works by dragging the MLA into the controversy. But company officials produced tapes of a conversation that apparently took place between the MLA and one of the company's executives that was allegedly centred on the issue of kickbacks to the MLA. Claiming innocence, Ramakrishna said that he was ready to face any punishment if his guilt was proved.
Meanwhile, the BJP has urged the Chief Minister to take stringent action against Ramakrishna. The party expressed anguish at the railway project not being completed allegedly due to the hurdles created by the ruling party leaders.
The railway line, if completed, is expected to spur industrial growth in the faction-ridden Kadapa and Nellore districts apart from extending transport connectivity for people in the backward regions. Iron ore and barytes, richly available in Mangampet area in Kadapa district and raw material from Bellary can be shipped abroad through the Krishnapatnam port if the railway line is completed.
This is not the first time that Ramakrishna is in the news for the wrong reasons. On an earlier occasion, he was charged with assaulting the then district Collector N Srikanth right on the floor of the House in the Zilla Parishad (ZP) during the elections for the post of ZP chief.
