Hyderabad, Jan 22 (NationPress) K. T. Rama Rao, the working president of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), accused the ongoing phone-tapping investigation of being merely a diversionary tactic designed to cover up administrative shortcomings and safeguard Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s role. Speaking to the media in Sircilla, he characterized the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the government as resembling a 'daily television serial' instead of a genuine inquiry.

He claimed that notices were selectively served to opposition leaders for political advantage while senior police and intelligence officials who previously managed the system were not being summoned for questioning.

KTR stated that every government across the nation depends on intelligence agencies to uphold law and order and ensure stability. He remarked that surveillance systems have been in place since Jawaharlal Nehru's era and are still functioning today within the police and intelligence framework, rather than at the discretion of political leaders.

He questioned why former intelligence heads and police directors — including current DGP Shivadhar Reddy, former DGP Mahender Reddy, ex-DGP and Home Secretary Jitender, and Ravi Gupta — have not been called by the SIT.

The BRS leader challenged the state government to present at least one senior official who could publicly confirm that opposition leaders’ phones were not being tapped. He accused the administration of leaking information selectively to the media while neglecting to hold formal press conferences or provide official statements.

KTR further accused the Chief Minister of exploiting the situation to buy time during foreign trips, including visits to Davos and Harvard, alleging that directives were given to maintain the issue's momentum by issuing notices to various BRS leaders on different days. He dismissed the case as 'baseless' and 'trash', asserting that even investigating officers were aware of its lack of substance.

KTR argued that Congress has failed to fulfill its electoral commitments, including financial aid to women and implementing six guarantees. He claimed that instead of resolving governance issues, the government was continually generating new controversies — from Kaleshwaram to Formula-E, sheep procurement schemes, and now phone-tapping — to distract public focus.

The BRS leader noted that notices to Harish Rao were issued shortly after he raised concerns about irregularities in coal contracts at Singareni involving the Chief Minister's relatives.

He insisted that SIT investigations should instead probe allegations against Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and his family, as well as claims against Srujan Reddy regarding coal contracts and AMRUT projects. KTR mentioned that he had submitted documents in Delhi concerning contract awards under the central urban development program to firms that were allegedly ineligible.

He also questioned why the Centre had not acted on recommendations from a Supreme Court-appointed empowered committee regarding alleged irregularities worth Rs 10,000 crore in Gachibowli land transactions. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments about an 'RR Tax' in Telangana and Home Minister Amit Shah’s assertion that the state had become an ATM for Congress, KTR asked why no central agency investigation had ensued.