Hyderabad, Dec 2: The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) has accused the state government of diverting Rythu Bandhu funds for payments to contractors, prompting the party to appeal to the Election Commission of India for intervention. Led by TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy, a delegation met Chief Electoral Officer Vikas Raj to submit a memorandum urging the Chief Election Commissioner’s involvement.
Asserting that the model code of conduct remains in effect, the Congress leaders requested the Election Commission to halt any government actions violating these guidelines. The TPCC chief alleged that, as disbursements under Rythu Bandhu were not permitted by the Election Commission, the state government is planning to allocate the funds to favored contractors, potentially involved in receiving commissions or kickbacks.
“In the last 2 to 3 days in power, when MCC is in place, the Government of Telangana is disbursing Rs 6,000 crores to selected contractors in an illegal manner,” the Congress leaders claimed. They further alleged that payments were being expedited to benefit specific contractors and that the Dharani portal was being misused to alter land title records, transferring assigned lands in Rangareddy, Sangareddy, and Medchal districts surrounding Hyderabad to purported benamis of the Chief Minister’s family members.
Former TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy, addressing the media after meeting the CEO, emphasized their request for a directive to the Chief Secretary to adhere to due process. The Congress leaders insisted that the current government should not misuse its powers during the model code of conduct, especially in what may be the final days of the state government.
Responding to queries about the State Cabinet meeting called by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on December 4, Uttam Kumar Reddy expressed uncertainty about the agenda, suggesting the possibility of the Chief Minister submitting his resignation to the governor.
Vote counting for the state Assembly elections, held on Thursday, is scheduled for Sunday. While most exit polls favor the Congress party, leaders from the ruling party, BRS, claim confidence in retaining power with a substantial majority.
