Telangana Minister Seethakka Takes Legal Action Against KCR Over Allegations
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Hyderabad, April 13 (NationPress) The Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development in Telangana, Danasari Anasuya Seethakka, has issued a legal notice to the former Chief Minister and President of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR). This action comes in response to allegations posted on the party's social media platforms regarding her involvement in the procurement of mobile phones for Anganwadis.
Seethakka has demanded that KCR assume accountability for the BRS's social media statements, expunge them, and provide a formal apology within a span of 48 hours. The legal notice stipulates that if he neglects to comply, both civil and criminal proceedings will be initiated against him.
The notice emphasizes that as the BRS president, KCR bears responsibility for all party actions, which encompass social media updates, press statements, and advertisements.
Her legal counsel expressed astonishment upon discovering a post dated April 10, accusing Seethakka of failing to return phones allocated to Anganwadi workers. The post claimed that the phone's actual cost was only Rs 8,499, while Seethakka allegedly inflated it to Rs 14,499, resulting in a supposed corruption of Rs 30 crore.
The notice outlined the specific social media accounts of party leaders and their supporters where these allegations were made, claiming that KCR has been orchestrating a systematic smear campaign against Seethakka.
Seethakka clarified that she had no involvement in the procurement process for the smartphones. According to her notice, it was the Telangana Technology Services Limited that managed the bidding process and awarded the contract. "My client is not part of the Tender Evaluation Committee, thus she had no influence over the contract award," the notice stated.
Highlighting that the total tender amount was Rs 44 crore, she dismissed the claim of Rs 30 crore corruption as unfounded and ludicrous.
Seethakka characterized the allegations as inherently defamatory, asserting that they represent defamation per se.
She has insisted that KCR retract the social media posts on both 'Facebook' and 'X', in addition to publishing an apology on these platforms and through the Telugu newspaper 'Namasthe Telangana'. Should he fail to do so, she will have no choice but to pursue appropriate legal action, both civil and criminal.