Hans News Service Hyderabad

TheBJP on Thursday stepped up its attack on Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, with BJP Legislature Party Leader Alleti Maheshwar Reddy, accompanied by party MLAs and MLCs, challenging the minister to an open debate over alleged irregularities in land transactions.

Maheshwar Reddy arrived at the Assembly media point carrying a bundle of documents and said he had waited from noon to 2 pm for the Revenue Minister to join the proposed debate. He alleged that Ponguleti avoided the debate fearing that the evidence produced by the BJP would expose him.

The BJP leader alleged that private patta lands had been placed on the prohibited list under Section 22A and later removed through alleged backdoor dealings. He demanded that the minister publicly disclose the lands transferred, the companies that benefited and the increase in his assets after assuming office.

Referring to remarks made by Minister Komatireddy Venkata Reddy, Maheshwar Reddy alleged a conspiracy behind certain transactions. He claimed that assets worth nearly Rs 15,000 crore had been transferred from the Phoenix group to companies allegedly linked to Ponguleti and questioned whether the transactions involved quid pro quo or blackmail.

He also alleged that large tracts of land had been illegally acquired during the earlier Dharani regime and accused the Congress government of turning Bhu Bharati into “Bhu Harati.”

Maheshwar Reddy demanded that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy order CBI and ED probes into the allegations. He said the BJP would write an open letter to Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and submit the evidence to investigating agencies seeking a comprehensive investigation.

The BJP leader demanded Ponguleti’s resignation if he failed to explain the allegations and documents produced by the BJP. He warned that the party would continue its campaign until a thorough probe was ordered and said he was ready to face any punishment if his allegations were proved false.