TRS: Is she talking about Pegasus?

PNS | HYDERABAD

In a quick rebuttal to Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan’s allegations on her phone being tapped, TRS leaders wondered if she was talking about ‘Pegasus’ (spyware developed by Israeli cyber-arms company NSO Group that several governments across the globe installed covertly on mobile phones of politicians, journalists and others).

Responding to the Governor flashing a tweet that had been re-tweeted by Krishank Manne, the TSMDC chairman said on Tuesday: “Was Governor Tamilisai garu talking about Pegasus? Why shouldn’t people of Telangana suspect Governor conspiring against KCR’s government because she has earlier threatened to topple Telangana government?”

The TRS has alleged that across the country, phones of 10,000 people — including politicians, journalists, and officials — are tapped using Pegasus by the central government. He recalled the statement made by the Governor in April that she could bring down the government. Krishank said, “In the past Governor Tamilisai threatened “if she wanted, the Government of Telangana would be toppled”. Do you think a Governor can give such a statement to conspire and topple against a people’s elected State Government of KCR?”

It may be mentioned here that a tweet was made by the handle TRS in News on 27 October which read that the farmhouse incident of buying of four MLAs happened with Raj Bhavan as stage and Delhi, Bengaluru, Coimbatore phone calls data is with police. In few hours or few days, everything will be exposed. This was retweeted by Krishank. On recruitment issue, State Education Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy clarified that she would clear the doubts of Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on the joint recruitment board of universities in Telangana.

Sabita made these comments while interacting with the media. She said that she would explain to the Governor all the legal issues on the joint appointment board of universities. Sabitha Indra Reddy said that Tamilisai had arranged a press meet without giving her an appointment. She said that she had tried to make an appointment with the Governor from 11 am on Wednesday, but there was no information from the Raj Bhavan so far.

Sabita told media persons that if she was given time, she would clear the Governor’s doubts. The Governor made a mistake by organizing the press meet without giving her an appointment. On remarks by Governor on Minister not coming, Sabita said: “If she thinks, I am not aware of the situation; I will try to get awareness”. Sabita Indra Reddy announced that she would speak to the media soon with ‘complete information’.

Governor Tamilisai has written a letter to the government, asking the Minister of Education to come directly to the Raj Bhavan to discuss the University Act Amendment Bill. It was sent directly to the CM’s Principal Secretary. Many posts have remained unfilled for years in all the universities of the state.The Legislature passed the Universities Act Amendment Bill on September 12 to empower the board and had sent it to the Governor for her assent. The governor has not yet taken any decision on the Bill.  In this context, the Governor sent a letter to the Chief Minister’s Office on 7th of this month stating that there are doubts about the Bill and the Minister of Education should come to discuss them. In fact, the letter was reportedly addressed first to the Education Department.