Hyderabad, March 29 (NationPress) The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has called for the immediate removal of Telangana Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy due to serious allegations of corruption and illegal mining.

BRS MLAs organized a demonstration at Gun Park adjacent to the Assembly building and subsequently raised the matter within the House, insisting on an investigation into the illegal mining activities by either the House Committee or a sitting judge from the High Court.

BRS Deputy Leader in the Assembly, T. Harish Rao, and party working president K.T. Rama Rao, alongside other MLAs, participated in the protest at Gun Park, brandishing placards demanding that the House Committee investigate the allegations against Raghava Construction, a firm associated with the revenue minister.

BRS MLAs also addressed a letter to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, urging a probe by either the House Committee or a sitting judge.

Speaking to the press, Rama Rao cautioned that if the government does not take action, the party will escalate the issue to the Governor with a formal complaint and, if necessary, mobilize public support on a large scale.

KTR made serious accusations against the minister, asserting that the government is in turmoil following revelations made by Harish Rao.

He stated that Harish Rao had unveiled, with documentary evidence obtained from the government, a significant scam involving a senior minister ranked No. 2 in the state government. The company associated with the minister’s family has been found to be in violation of regulations and involved in illegal mining activities.

KTR questioned the government’s selective enforcement, asking why strict legal measures have been taken against other companies involved in illegal mining while Raghava Constructions has faced no repercussions. He speculated whether the lack of action is linked to the company’s ties to the minister or even the Chief Minister's own involvement.

He pointed out that after the allegations by Harish Rao, the Chief Minister acknowledged that irregularities had occurred. However, instead of accepting accountability, he attempted to deflect blame by stating that the government itself had exposed the issue. KTR criticized the Chief Minister’s assertion that the company belonged to “distant relatives” of Minister Ponguleti, deeming it nonsensical.

KTR clarified that the minister’s wife, son, and brother are directly involved with the company, and that the minister himself held the position of chairman from 2020 to 2022. He accused the Chief Minister of making contradictory and misleading statements, showcasing a lack of credibility.

Moreover, he suggested that the Chief Minister’s vigorous defense of Raghava Constructions implies his own entanglement in the matter. He highlighted the allocation of contracts under the Kodangal Lift Irrigation Project to the same firm and expressed concerns over widespread land irregularities in the state involving the Chief Minister and his associates.

KTR condemned the government for failing to deliver any substantial benefits to the public over the past two and a half years, instead concentrating on legal cases, commissions, and vendetta politics.

Questioning the government’s inaction, he asked why no measures have been taken against the minister’s family company despite compelling evidence. He noted that under the law, a subsequent notice in such cases could lead to a year’s imprisonment, yet the government continues to shield the accused.

He also criticized the Mining Minister for trivializing the issue as merely a Rs 4 lakh affair, citing that officials uncovered violations worth Rs 32 lakh in a single day during inspections. This clearly indicates a more extensive scam involving public assets over an extended period.

KTR alleged that another firm, Bhagyalakshmi Mining in Kokapet, is associated with a close relative of the Chief Minister. He questioned the inconsistency in mining revenue, asserting that while the government claims increased revenue, only approximately Rs 900 crore is being collected instead of the anticipated Rs 1,700-1,800 crore, raising alarming issues about potential fund misappropriation.

The BRS has demanded the formation of a House Committee to scrutinize the roles of the minister, the Chief Minister, and others involved. He recalled that, in previous instances, similar allegations, like those in the Obulapuram mining case, were investigated through a House Committee to ensure transparency.