In a meticulously planned and executed operation, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLA A. Revanth Reddy was trapped by the sleuths of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) while allegedly trying to bribe nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson to vote in favour of the TDP candidate in the Legislative Council election scheduled on Monday.
The ACB officials confirming the trap of TD MLA Revanth Reddy said he was booked for offering bribe under Prevention of Corruption Act.
ACB Deputy Superintendent of Police Mr Ashok Kumar told media, “He was booked for offering bribe under PC act. We counted the cash – it is Rs 50 lakhs. The cash has been seized. The offer made was Rs 5 crore. We are further investigating this case,” he said.
Meanwhile, accused MLA Revanth Reddy spoke to reporters while being taken to the magistrate. Reddy claimed ignorance and said, “Why do I need to do it? Am I contesting the elections? Even the government frames 100 illegal cases against me. But I will not be cowed down. I still have courage to fight against Telangana CM Chandrasekhar Rao.”
When asked that he had offered to pay Rs 50 lakh bribe, he said, “They can say anything.” Revanth was in his casuals and was seen talking on phone while being taken out of the residence of Elvis Stephenson's friend. He is likely to be shifted to magistrate's residence as it is Sunday and later to ACB headquarters at Banjara Hills.
MLC elections are to be held on Monday where in MLAs vote to elect MLCs by preferential vote. According to Telangana ACB, two other persons were also caught.
The TD MLA took it as prestige as his candidate Vem Narendar Reddy was given ticket by TD and onus was put on him to ensure that he wins. But with mass defection of TD MLAs to the ruling TRS, it has become difficult to win the elections.
A senior police official said ,"Revanth Reddy had contacted Anglo India MLA Stephenson three days ago. He had been trying to lure the nominated MLA. On Friday the nominated MLA complained to ACB alleging that the MLA is trying to lure him with money. ACB laid a trap based on the written complaint of the nominated MLA."
On Sunday afternoon Revanth along with his two other aides went to the house of the friend of Stephenson in an apartment Pushpa Nilayama in Vijayapuri Colongy in Lalaguda of Secunderabad to hand over the cash.
In a related development, a delegation of the Telangana TDP legislators rushed to the Telangana DGP Anurag Sharma’s office claiming that their MLA was framed in a conspiracy hatched by the highest political circles in the TRS. They alleged that TRS was encouraging defections and luring the opposition party MLAs.
TDP leader Mothukupalli Narasimhulu described the development as unfortunate and alleged that the TRS was hell bent on defaming the TDP leadership.
“I feel it’s a conspiracy and hope the TRS and the Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will desist from such practices that are unhealthy in a democracy,” he said.
