Rebel YSR Congress party MLA from Nellore (rural) constituency Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy’s allegation that his phone was being tapped by the government is learnt to have landed state intelligence chief P S R Anjaneyulu in deep soup.
Kotamreddy claimed that four months ago, an Indian Police Service (IPS) official had told him that his phone was being tapped but he did not believe this as he was not indulging in any illegal business or anti-party activity.
The rebel MLA, who initially did not disclose the name of the official, later disclosed that he was none other than the state intelligence chief. He even showed the number of the IPS officer to the mediapersons.
He remarked that phone tapping was not possible without orders from the Chief Minister.
He also asked the chief minister what would be his reaction if the BJP government at the Centre taps his phone or that of government advisor (political affairs) Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy or YSRCP Parliamentary Party leader Vijay Sai Reddy.
After Kotamreddy’s press conference, Anjaneyulu rushed to Tadepalli camp office of chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and closeted with him and his advisor Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy. He reportedly gave an explanation to the chief minister.
Sources said Jagan expressed anger at the IPS officer, but he cannot take any immediate action. If he takes any disciplinary action against the intelligence chief, it amounts to confirming the allegations of Kotamreddy.
“So, he would take his own time and after the issue subsides, the IPS officer might be shifted out of the post,” source said.
For now, Sajjala made a desperate bid to defend Anjaneyulu, saying he might have made the call to the rebel MLA only to warn him against making strong comments against the government and the party leadership.
Earlier, it was senior leader and MLA from Venkatagiri constituency Anam Ramanarayana Reddy who alleged that two of his phones were being tapped as well as those of this his personal assistants.
He alleged that his movements were being closely watched and his phones tapped after he had flagged the mafia activities in Nellore about one-and-half years ago. He even said he feared a threat to his life.
