The BRS MLC K Kavitha who said she would cooperate with the investigation by the ED into the alleged involvement in the liquor scandal attended the investigation at the ED office in New Delhi on Saturday.
She was interrogated by the ED officials for about nine hours beginning from 11 am to 8 pm. She came out smiling and waving at the waiting BRS party and Bharat Jagruthi cadres around 9 pm. The ED has asked her to attend the investigation again on March 16.
Tension prevailed at the official residence of Telangana CM KCR’s residence on Tuglak road where hundreds and thousands of party cadres gathered in support of Ms Kavitha. A similar situation prevailed at the ED office on APJ Abdul Kalam road. The police were forced to erect barricades and deploy more personnel. Prohibitory orders were imposed at the ED office and they did not allow people to gather. The police also sent the media personnel far away from the office surroundings.
The BRS leaders accused the ED officials of leaking the proceedings to select media instead of briefing the media personnel. “We are seeing how the central government agencies are after the leaders of Opposition parties. The BJP leaders are emboldened by the officials of agencies who are towing the line of the BJP rather than acting impartially. BJP MP Bandi Sanjay should take back his words and apologise to MLC K Kavitha,” said minister Koppula Eswar.
Meanwhile, the CBI and ED notice to Bihar’s former chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejaswi Yadav, present deputy chief minister came in for sharp criticism from across the country.
Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav who is 74 years recently underwent a kidney transplant surgery and is not keeping in good health. Mr Tejaswi Yadav whose wife is in the advanced stage of pregnancy was also harassed and Mr. Tejaswi Yadav is served notices afresh. He told the officials he cannot attend in view of his wife’s health. His wife was made to sit for 15 hours by the ED officials unmindful of her discomfort.
Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav said they will not be deterred by the pressure tactics of BJP which is greedy to come to power in Bihar state.
The way the ED and CBI serving the notices only to the leaders of opposition parties clearly indicates that they have become puppets in the hands of BJP leaders.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao