We have been hearing Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu talk, day in and day out, about values in politics.
He has been lecturing his own party MLAs and ministers not to engage in corrupt practices and tarnish the reputation of his government.
However, the reality on the ground seems to be different.
There have been reports of TDP legislators, and even a couple of Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs, threatening contractors and extorting kickbacks for various projects. The contractors are so worried that they are refusing to take on the work.
In a recent instance, a prominent construction company took up national highway works in the combined Kadapa district.
According to reliable sources, at least three MLAs have demanded that the contractors pay them commissions if they want to proceed with the highway works.
While two of the MLAs demanded Rs 10 crore each, another MLA allegedly demanded Rs 20 crore from the contractors. However, the company management has expressed its inability to pay such large commissions.
As a result, the MLAs have allegedly incited local farmers against the construction company, preventing it from continuing the highway works through their lands.
If the company has to pay such large amounts to the MLAs, it would have to increase the estimated cost of the highway project, and the highway authority might not approve the cost escalation.
So, the company management has decided to halt the work and remain silent instead of paying kickbacks to the MLAs.
However, the MLAs have made it clear to the construction company that they will not allow the work to continue in the future until they are paid the demanded amount.
The contractors have clearly told them that they have already spent a large amount of money to secure the contract and may not be able to pay such high commissions to the MLAs. They are reportedly negotiating to reduce the commission, sources said.
