In the dock are family members of KCR in TS and Jagan in AP
SNCN ACHARYULU
Hyderabad
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has in its chokehold now the ruling parties in Telugu states. While the Delhi liquor scam and developments related to it have led to disquiet in the Bharat Rashtra Samiti in Telangana, the twists in the case relating to the murder of former MP YS Vivekanand Reddy are causing heightened anxiety in YSR Congress in Andhra Pradesh.
Noticeably, those in the dock in these two cases are family members of the respective Chief Ministers. In the Delhi liquor scam case, BRS president Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s daughter and BRS MLC K Kavitha is facing allegations of her involvement as a key member of the ‘south group’. In Andhra Pradesh, YSR Congress president and Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s cousin and Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy is facing investigation over his alleged involvement in the Vivekananda Reddy murder case. Both Kavitha and Avinash Reddy have appeared before CBI as part of the agency’s investigations.
According to sources, the investigationsin both these cases have reached the final stage. After the arrest of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia (who has since resigned), the CBI may turn towards Telangana.
Telangana BJP leaders have been declaring openly that the next person to be arrested in the Delhi liquor scam would be Kavitha.Political observers feel that any time CBI may issue notice again to Kavitha. This time the investigation could proceed following her arrest.
In Andhra Pradesh, the main opposition Telugu Desam Party is alleging the involvement of CM YS Jagan and his wife Bharathi Reddy in the murder case. Vivekananda Reddy’s murder took place during the last Assembly elections under the TDP regime. After the Assembly elections, YSR Congress came to power and since then Jaganhas been maintaining cordial relations with the BJP-led central government. But in this case, YSR Congress leaders are making allegations against the CBI.
At the end of the day, the ruling parties in the Telugu states fear the ramifications of these cases and their impact during the coming Assembly elections. In Telangana, the BJP is determined to come to power in the next Assembly elections. Political circles expect a lot of political developments in Telangana.
There is, however, one major difference. While KCR is constantly fighting against BJP, Jaganhas been pally with BJP whenever necessary.
