Ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid the cash-for-votes scam row, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has demanded an investigation into the alleged phone tapping by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). He is likely to take up the issue during the meeting with the Prime Minister.
Speaking exclusively to CNN-IBN, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief asserted that he did not need to buy MLAs, claiming that he had proof to validate his allegation of phone tapping by rival TRS, adding that he did not need to buy any MLA.
"They are repeatedly tapping our phones. They have modern equipments and this is dangerous. Where are you going in democracy? There is no moral," said the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, adding that the truth would be revealed after a "thorough probe".
Naidu further alleged that the TRS, which is in power in neighbouring Telangana, was also involved in "horse trading and manipulation". He went on to claim that just one day before the elections in the state, the TRS took "one MLA by force to KCR's farmhouse" for "horse trading".
The TRS, however, dismissed all allegations by the TDP chief, claiming that the Telangana government was not involved in any phone tapping. Advising Naidu to focus on the development of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Mehmood Ali accused the TDP chief of stirring "trouble".
"Let us do our work in our state and he should focus on the development of his state. He's trying to defame us. Telangana government has never interfered with the workings of another state and we expect to be let alone too," said Ali.
When asked about the Telangana government's demand of Naidu being made an accused in the case, the Deputy CM said that the probe was on and the road ahead could be decided only after the reports came in, adding that the government was "not blaming anyone yet".
This came a day after 50 FIRs were registered by Andhra Pradesh Police on Tuesday against Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for alleged illegal tapping of phones of his Andhra counterpart.
Telangana Police also conducted raids at the houses of TDP MLA Revanth Reddy and two others arrested in connection with cash-for-vote scam which triggered the entire row.
The slug-fest between governments of the two states - born of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh exactly a year ago - started with arrest of TDP MLA in Telangana Revanth Reddy by Telangana anti-corruption bureau while allegedly offering bribe to a nominated MLA for voting for TDP nominee in Legislative Council election. This was followed by surfacing of audio tapes, purportedly containing Naidu's tapped conversation. Naidu has denied that it was his voice.
Three teams of Telangana ACB conducted searches at the residences of Revanth Reddy, Sebastian Harry and Uday Simha, and seized a computer CPU from Reddy's house on Tuesday. Reddy and the two others were arrested on May 31 while allegedly trying to hand over Rs 50 lakh to nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson to vote for TDP nominee.
They were produced before the special ACB court as their police custody ended on Tuesday, and were remanded in judicial custody till June 15.
ACB also filed a petition before the chief metropolitan court here seeking allotment of a court to record the statement of nominated MLA Stephenson, the complainant, under CrPC section 164 (which would be admissible in the trial).
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