Telangana: TRS petitions EC to disqualify Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy

HYDERABAD: TRS on Sunday filed a complaint against BJP candidate Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy with the Electi-on Commission of India (ECI) regarding comments made by the former legislator and demanded to bar him from contesting the Munugode bypoll. ECI has decided to examine the complaint.
TRS alleged that Raj Gopal Reddy had claimed that after BJP-led central governm-ent awarded his family-held company 18,000 crore worth contract, he joined the saffron party by resigning from Congress and as a legislator.

"Raj Gopal Reddy made the disclosure and admitted it voluntarily. The crux of his statement is that he worked for BJP while being a Congress MLA for the last three years," the pink party said.
TRS leaders visited the residence of Telangana chief electoral officer Vikas Raj on Sunday and submitted the complaint. TRS, in the complaint, alleged that the statements given by Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy were nothing, but an admission of a severe illegal offence involving criminal quid pro quo.
"His actions were not only immoral in terms of the code of conduct for the political leaders and activities but also amounted to a criminal offence under the Indian Penal Code and the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Further, he has also committed offences under the Representation of the People Act and breached the oath of office taken by him as a legislator in 2018. Thus, the Election Commission has to order a criminal investigation and initiate proceedings for debarring him from political process, including debarring him from contesting Munugode assembly constituency bye-elections," TRS stated.
"We have requested ECI to immediately pass interim orders to restrain and disqualify Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy from contesting in the bye-election to be held for Munugode assembly constituency on November 3," TRS general secretary Soma Bharat Kumar said.
Reacting to the complaint, BJP leader DK Aruna alleged TRS of morphing the video.
"TRS has done video morphing and trying to claim that Raj Gopal Reddy has said some words. TRS is trying to misguide ECI. Raj Gopal Reddy praised PM Narendra Modi's schemes before joining BJP. Raj Gopal told that his joining BJP has nothing to do with contracts. TRS is trying to spend hundreds of crores in the elections and is trying to divert the attention of ECI and public," Aruna said.