Mahakutami leaders gripe about phone tapping

​Hyderabad: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy along with a delegation of leaders on Thursday called on State Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar and filed a complaint about police harassment and phone tapping.

Besides Uttam, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) State unit President L Ramana, R Chandrashekhar Reddy, CPI State Secretary Chada Venkat Reddy and TJS leader Dilip Kumar were also part of the delegation. Speaking to media, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that a representation had been made with the CEO on various issues. He alleged that some police officials, at the behest of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), were harassing the leaders of Mahakutami.

He pointed out that TDP president Ramana's car was stopped by a Task Force DCP who also happens to be a relative of caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. He said that the TDP leader’s car was stopped and he was threatened of implication in false cases. Similarly, he said TJS President Prof M Kodandaram was also being harassed by the police.

Uttam alleged that under the supervision of Intelligence DIG Prabhakar Rao, the phones of all opposition leaders were being tapped. Reacting to the allegation, the CEO assured that he would enquire into it by seeking details from the top police officials.

The TPCC chief said that the T-News channel and Namasthe Telangana newspaper were being used as pamphlets for the publicity of the TRS and to defame opposition parties. This is against the rules of Model Code of Conduct and a judgment of Supreme Court wherein it is essential for all media publications and channels to give equal space to all political parties.

Uttam said that the election authorities have failed to remove the pictures of caretaker Chief Minister and other Ministers from the government buildings. He said an advertisement with Chandrashekar Rao picture was still there in all the bogies of Hyderabad Metro Rail. This is an open violation of Model Code of Conduct, he added.

The TPCC chief said they have objected over use of Pragathi Bhavan, Ministers' residences and Club House for holding the TRS meetings. He said that the CEO had been asked to take immediate action and stop the violation of Model Code of Conduct. He said it was the duty of Election Commission of India to ensure free and fair elections in the State.

Speaking on the occasion, TDP leader Ramana alleged that he was personally being harassed by some police officials. He said a representation would be made with President Ram Nath Kovind to impose President's Rule in Telangana to ensure free and fair elections. CPI leader Chada Venkat Reddy alleged that the TRS was making efforts to retain power through illegal and unconstitutional means.