The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Opposition parties seek Sudhakar Rao's removal

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Wednesday, Nov 22, 2006
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Opposition parties seek Sudhakar Rao's removal

Special Correspondent

It's a TRS conspiracy, claims Information Commissioner

TAINTED STUFF: Seized cricket kits at a police station on the outskirts of Karimnagar town. (Right) State Information Commissioner K. Sudhakar Rao.

HYDERABAD: State Information Commissioner K. Sudhakar Rao has charged Telagana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) leaders with hatching a `conspiracy' to malign him by linking his name to the seizure of cash and cricket kits in Karimnagar district early on Tuesday.

Notwithstanding the denial, opposition parties asked the Government remove him from his constitutional post. Delegations of the TDP, the TRS and the BJP met Chief Electoral Officer V. Bhaskar separately demanding stringent action against Mr. Rao, who is a close associate of Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

The TDP urged the CEO to prevent corrupt practices of the Congress. The BJP leaders apprehended that poll code violations would continue if no action was taken while the TRS charged the Congress with enticing voters with money and material.

Mr. Sudhakar Rao told reporters: "There is a strong conspiracy to malign me." He accused the TRS leaders of colluding with Tirumala Rao, who claimed to be his driver. "The person nabbed by the TRS worked for sometime as my attender," he said. Tirumala Rao was sacked long ago as he was not regular in work.

Probe sought

At a press conference, TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu sought a probe into the seizure and demanded criminal action against the Commissioner. He recalled that he had insisted on verification of Mr. Rao's antecedents at the time of his appointment. Mr. Rao should be asked to quit and criminal proceedings initiated against him.

AP Congress Committee reacted sharply to the development, terming it a `gimmick' and urged the Government and the Election Commission to enquire into the issue.

Party spokespersons P. Venkata Rao and N. Tulasi Reddy said it was a well-hatched conspiracy by the TRS, which was hell bent upon maligning the Congress. V. Hanumantha Rao, MP, said all parties indulged in such acts and wondered whether it was such a `big crime'.

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