An audio clip of a phone conversation released by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on the alleged covert operation by the Bharatiya Janata Party to poach four TRS legislators surfaced on Thursday afternoon, but it kicked up many doubts.
The 13-minute audio clip has the conversation between TRS MLA from Tandur assembly constituency Pilot Rohit Reddy and Ramachandra Bharathi alias Satish Sharma of Faridabad, with another accused Nanda Kumar joining the conference call.
Going by the audio clip, Ramachandra Bharathi, who claimed himself to be closer to the top bosses of the BJP and that he had handled many such issues in the past, offering to come to Hyderabad to meet Rohit Reddy to close the “deal” before the November 3 by-election in Munugode.
He had asked the names of those who would be joining the BJP along with Rohit Reddy, but the latter said he would disclose the names only when he meets the top people.
Bharathi was heard telling the MLA he would arrange a meeting with B L Santosh, organising secretary of the BJP, after the deal is struck at Hyderabad. He even mentioned No. 1 and No. 2 in the BJP who would be coming Santosh’s place. “Right now, they had gone to Ahmedabad,” he mentioned.
Bharathi also claimed that he had got the clearance from the highest people in the party. Though he said no. 1 and no. 2, he did not take names. Stating that the party required qualified leaders for us, he assured that he would take care of all ‘aspects’ would be taken care of and not to worry.
He further asks the TRS MLA not to speak for long over phone. The Swamy also insists on meeting the TRS MLA after October 25, citing health issues. Interrupting the conversation, another accused Nanda Kumar is heard of scheduling the meeting after October 25, citing the solar eclipse.
For once, the conversation appears to be genuine, but it also kicked up several doubts. First of all, who is Ramachandra Bharathi and whether he is really authorised to take up poaching of the MLAs from other parties.
Secondly, if the BJP wants to lure any TRS MLAs, it can do it right royally, without seeking the help of any mediators. It can contact the MLAs directly, ask them to resign from their assembly seats and join the BJP through Bandi Sanjay and others.
There is no need to spend money, nor does it require to do any secret operation.
“The BJP hardly has three MLAs. Even if it buys 20 TRS MLAs, it cannot topple the TRS government, as it had done in Maharashtra or Madhya Pradesh or Goa in the past. So, what would it gain by offering Rs 400 crore on four MLAs, who won’t be of any help to the party?” an analyst asked.
For now, the entire episode looks like digging a mountain to catch a mouse. If KCR really has any bigger evidence, it is better he discloses the same at the earliest. Otherwise, it will create an impression that he is trying to blackmail the BJP!