New Delhi: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Wednesday stated that phone tapping is not illegal and clarified that he has not received any notice in connection with the ongoing case. Speaking to media in New Delhi, the Chief Minister said the government has not filed any case directly related to phone tapping, and that the current investigation pertains only to the disappearance of hard disks.
Revanth Reddy explained that deeper investigation into the missing hard disks led to several revelations. Responding to criticism from BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao, he suggested that if previous governments also resorted to phone surveillance, the matter should be presented before the commission currently probing the issue. He emphasized that surveillance, if conducted, must follow legal procedures.
Dismissing concerns over freedom of expression, the Chief Minister said he has no intention of curbing anyone’s voice, including that of KTR. He stated that whether Pegasus spyware was used will be known only after the commission submits its report. “I do not give undue importance to negative commentary,” he added.
The Chief Minister demanded that KTR explain why there was a need to secretly monitor even the phones of family members. He remarked, “In such a situation, one might feel that suicide is a better option.”
Caste Census-Based Bill Proposes 42% Reservations for BCs
Revanth Reddy further stated that the Telangana government has drafted a bill proposing 42% reservations for Backward Classes (BCs), based on the findings of the recently completed caste census. He described the state’s caste census as a model for the entire nation.
The Chief Minister urged the central government to approve the bill at the earliest, adding that local body elections will be conducted following its approval. He confirmed that the Assembly-approved bill has been forwarded to the President for assent. Revanth also noted that the long-pending caste census, delayed for nearly a century, was completed in just one month under his administration.
He added that although resolutions related to political reservations in local bodies have been sent to the Centre, delays are expected. The Telangana government is now engaging with leaders from the opposition alliance at the national level to garner support for the bill’s approval.
BJP Accused of Double Standards on BC Reservations
Criticising the BJP, Revanth Reddy alleged that the party is indulging in doublespeak on the BC reservation issue. While the BJP supported the bill in the state Assembly, the party’s Telangana unit president, Ramchander Rao, has been making contradictory statements, he said.
The Chief Minister further accused the BJP of conspiring to eliminate Muslim reservations. “Our goal is to enhance reservations while staying within the constitutional framework,” he said.
Revanth Reddy also announced that he would meet Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday to discuss issues related to the caste census and BC reservations. He asserted that the Telangana government will continue to exert pressure on the Centre to ensure that the reservation bill is approved.