MLA 'poaching': KCR claims BJP trying to topple governments, releases video

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has hit out at the BJP for "trying to topple democratically-elected governments" in four non-BJP-ruled states, including Telangana. He also released a video purportedly carrying the evidence of BJP's involvement in connection with the recent MLA 'poaching' incident. 

Rao also shared with the media the video files and other material related to the conversation between the three accused – Ramachandra Bharati from Faridabad, Nanda Kumar from Hyderabad and Simhayaji Swamy from Tirupati -- and the four TRS MLAs at a farmhouse in the suburbs of the state capital on October 26. 

The Chief Minister also called on the judiciary to safeguard democracy and punish the men who were trying to "purchase MLAs."

"They openly say in the video we already dethroned eight (state) governments. And how they conducted the operation. Now we (the men) are in the process of dethroning four governments, i.e Telangana, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan," he told media at a press conference. 

"Henceforth, it becomes the prime duty of every democratic thinker and I expect honourable Supreme court CJ and also honourable judges of the supreme court, honourable CJs of all High courts to discuss and take all required steps, whatever they are in accordance with law."

The TRS leader added that the video shows the accused taking the names of top BJP leaders in their bid to poach four TRS MLAs – Pilot Rohit Reddy, Guvvala Balaraju (Achampet), Rega Kantha Rao (Pinapaka) and B Harshavardhan Reddy (Kollapur).

He added that the brokers mentioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah "20 times", Prime Minister Modi "thrice" and hinted at the change in government in Karnataka.

Rao said such video evidence has already been submitted to the High Court in connection with the MLAs poaching case. He added that he added that he had more than an hour of hidden camera footage, though he only played five minutes of the tapes at the news conference.

He further said he will send all the evidence to the Chief Justice of India, CJs of all High Courts, media houses, CBI and ED for their knowledge. The Chief Minister also requested the CJI and judges to "protect the country and safeguard democracy."

“They were clearly seen saying how they would topple the Telangana government, after which they would target the governments in Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. I immediately alerted Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal about the same,” the chief minister claimed.

Rao added that Home Minister Amit Shah himself spoke at a public meeting in Munugode in October that the TRS Government will go away in a month. He also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to get this stopped.

"I had made this suggestion to to you Modi ji. I make today also. Stop this 'kaand'... Accept the respect of democracy," he said.

It was on October 26 that the Cyberabad Police filed an FIR against three persons who allegedly tried to coax four TRS legislators into defecting.

The BJP state leadership, which vehemently denied having any knowledge of the alleged poaching of TRS MLAs, rubbished Rao's claim on Thursday. According to Telangana BJP official spokesman N V Subhash, there was nothing new in KCR’s revelations and alleged the sting was stage-managed. 

"The BJP doesn’t indulge in any such dramas, if it wants to attract any MLAs from any party. It will straightaway ask them to resign from their posts and join the party. There is no need to spend money to poach anybody,” he said. 

(With inputs from PTI)