Cash for Post: Five T-Cong MLCs were offered money?

Hyderabad, June 4: A day after Telangana Congress MLC Ramalingam levelling allegations that he was offered Rs 10 lakh to support the candidature of former PCC President Dharampuri Srinivas for the post of Leader of the Opposition in Telangana Legislative Council, four more MLCs have reportedly lodged a similar complaint with the Congress High Command.

According to sources, the MLCs were allegedly offered between Rs 10-40 lakh each for supporting the candidature of Srinivas. It is not yet clear whether the money was offered by Srinivas himself or his supporters. Further, it could not be established how many of MLCs have really accepted the bribe.

Interestingly, the allegations were leveled during the meeting of Congress MLCs held on Tuesday which was also attended by AICC General Secretary and incharge of State Congress Affairs Digvijay Singh. Sources say that Digvijay Singh refused to believe Ramalingam when he alleged that he was offered money. Instead, he asked him to furnish proof to substantiate his allegation. This angered other MLCs who were against the candidature of Srinivas. Former union minister Vylar Ravi wanted the allegation to be recorded and sent to AICC President Sonia Gandhi. However, Digvijay Singh refused to do so and openly backed Srinivas.

Meanwhile, a few Congress MLCs have expressed anger over inaction by the Congress High Command on the serious allegations of corruption within the party. “The Congress party paid a heavy price due to the allegations of corruption against a few leaders. If Rahul Gandhi is really serious in curbing corruption, then he should begin the exercise from the Congress party itself. He cannot ignore the allegations leveled by one respected MLC who himself has a clean record,” one MLC said on the condition of anonymity.

The agitated MLCs have made it clear that the “Cash for Post” issue is not linked to the rivalry between Srinivas and Mohammad Ali Shabbir. “It was not about electing the leader with consensus or with division of opinion. All MLCs had their own reasons to support or oppose their candidature. But Srinivas allegedly tried to bribe some MLCs to get elected as the Leader of the Opposition in the Council. This is a condemnable precedent which he tried to set,” said one MLC.

Some MLCs are seriously considering leaving the Congress party as the “Cash for Post” issue is bound to tarnish their image.