KCR slams Naidu for Polavaram charges

Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday slammed Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu for leveling baseless charges against him on awarding of Polavaram irrigation project to his benamis.

Talking to media persons at Telangana Bhavan, Chandrasekhar Rao sought unconditional apology for dragging his name into the controversy and warned that he would file a defamation suit against Naidu if he did not stop malicious campaign against him. He challenged Naidu for a public debate 'anywhere and anytime' over the awarding of Polavaram contracts and investments in Namasthetelangana vernacular daily.

Stating that he was clean, KCR alleged that Naidu himself was involved in several scams. “Many books came in the market about the Naidu's involvement in various scams,” he stated.

KCR disclosed his assets once again and said that he owns 24 acres land in Medak, a house in Karimnagar and Hyderabad. Stating that Rs 4 crore has been invested for establishing a newspaper, he said that he had invested Rs 55 lakhs for launching of TV channel.

Stating that Naidu has no moral right comment on him, he said he has no right to use photo of anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare. "There is no need for him to live like a Benami," he said while accusing Naidu for encouraging Benami culture in the state through awarding of contracts. “I have not looted properties like Naidu and built benami empire worth Rs 50,000 crore,” he stated.

KCR alleged that the TDP did not contest the Banswada by-elections after having a secret pact with the ruling Congress party. Stating that he wrote letter to the Chief Minister asking him to cancel tenders, he challenged Naidu to make his party's stand clear on the Polavaram project and visit Telangana region. He said that Naidu was making baseless allegations against him and unable to directly face the people of region.

KCR said that there was no compromise on the Telangana state formation and he would continue his agitation relentlessly.