The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on Saturday triggered a row after they alleged that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was misusing an office of the Andhra Pradesh DGP, which is situated in Hyderabad, to allegedly spy on them.
Addressing a press meet, TRS leaders urged Governor ESL Narasimhan and Telangana DGP M Mahender Reddy to take immediate action and ask officials of AP's Intelligence Department to leave the state, as it was headed for an election.
TRS MP Balka Suman, party State Secretary Gattu Ramchander Rao and Government Whip P Rajeswar Reddy spoke to reporters in Hyderabad on Saturday and claimed that the head of AP's Intelligence Department, AB Venkateshwar Rao, was working out of the AP DGP Office in city. The TRS leaders alleged that intelligence was being collected on the political scenario in the state, to help the TDP.
“The AP government officials are being misused to submit intelligence reports to the TDP leadership over the political scenario in Telangana State. They have no role to play in the affairs of Telangana State and such acts should be dealt with stringently,” he added.
TRS MP Balka Suman stated that TDP president and AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was resorting to backdoor politics and misusing the AP government machinery for his personal and political gains in the neighbouring State of Telangana.
“Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu is using AP Intelligence and conducting a survey in Telangana. He sent a ‘Dongala Mutha’ to Telangana. We will lodge a complaint with the Governor and the DGP in this regard. If there is no response from the DGP, then TRS workers will chase away Venkateswara Rao,” the TRS leaders were quoted as saying.
"We suspect that the AP Chief Minister is trying to create political instability as well as transport moneybags to Telangana State using the intelligence authorities ahead of the State Assembly elections towards expenditure. They better stop such activities or if they are caught red-handed by us and people of the State, a befitting lesson will be taught to them,” Balka Suman told reporters.
However, the TDP hit back and dismissed allegations by the TRS, pointing out that Hyderabad was the common capital of both states for ten years, as per the AP Reorganisation Act.
Speaking to TNM, TDP Official Spokesperson Lanka Dinakar said that several institutions of the AP government continued to be situated in Hyderabad including the High Court.
"What is wrong in it? Many bifurcation issues are pending and some of our departments have continued to function out of Hyderabad for the last four years and will continue for another six years if necessary," he said.
Dinakar also said that the TRS was raising the issue suddenly because it feared the TDP.
"TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao himself said that TDP is nothing in the state. If that is the case, why are they so afraid now? This is only because they are clearly threatened and know that the TDP has the potential to oust TRS from the government in Telangana with the blessings of the people," he said.
"Since the recent issue of a non-bailable warrant against several TDP leaders in a 2010 case pertaining to an agitation against the Babli Barrage on the Godavari river has come to light, it has become clear to the people of Telangana as to who has always fought for the state. This is what the TRS fears," he added.