Palwai accuses MIM of indulging in blackmail politics

Accusing the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen of resorting to communal politics, Rajya Sabha member Palwai Govardhan Reddy on Wednesday claimed that the Bhagyalakshmi Temple abutting historic Charminar was in existence for the last 400 years.

Talking to reporters at Assembly's media point, Govardhan Reddy said that the MIM has unnecessarily raised controversy around the temple to blackmail Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to get lands belonging to Mahavir Hospital. He said that the MIM was wrongly targeting the Congress party and branding the Chief Minister as communal.

Speaking about Telangana issue, the Rajya Sabha member said that the Centre has already completed the negotiations with all the stakeholders and Telangana announcement might come any time. However, he said that Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu has been creating obstacles in the formation of separate State by not clearing his stand on the statehood issue.

Admitting that the Congress party has become in Telangana and Rayalaseema regions, he said that the party would win the next elections in Telangana region if it takes a decision in favour of separate State.

Govardhan Reddy also accused Bhongir MP K Rajagopal Reddy of extorting money in the name of estimation of Pranahita Chevella project. He also alleged that Rajagopal Reddy and his brother and former minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy might join the YSR Congress party in near future. Therefore, he cautioned the Congress party from believing the Reddy brothers.