AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj raised concerns on Saturday regarding the decision of BJP ally TDP to nominate Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, father of Raghav Manguta Reddy, as its candidate for the Lok Sabha elections. Bharadwaj pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP would be endorsing a key witness against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by campaigning for Reddy.
“We informed you about Sharat Reddy’s association with the BJP. Despite being arrested in a money laundering case, he contributed funds to the BJP. Today, we’re discussing ex-YSRCP MP Magunta Reddy and his son Raghav Manguta Reddy. The NDA member TDP has now nominated him (Magunta Reddy) as its Lok Sabha candidate. This implies that PM Modi and the entire BJP will be soliciting votes for someone who is a crucial witness against (Delhi CM) Arvind Kejriwal,” Bharadwaj stated.
TDP, an ally of the BJP, has put forward Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy as its candidate from the Ongole Lok Sabha constituency. Reddy and his son transitioned to TDP from the YSR Congress last year. Reddy, a four-time MP from Ongole, was implicated in the liquor policy case, while his son acted as an approver in the excise policy case.
Arvind Kejriwal, currently in the Enforcement Directorate’s custody related to the liquor policy case, mentioned Reddy during his testimony before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court on Thursday. Kejriwal recounted an encounter where he explained to Reddy that land matters fell under the jurisdiction of the Lieutenant Governor (LG), not his office. Subsequently, Kejriwal’s son was arrested after the ED raided their premises.
Kejriwal asserted that Reddy altered his statement once his son was apprehended, leading to his son’s release and implying an ulterior motive behind the ED’s actions.
Kejriwal questioned why only one of Reddy’s statements was included in the ED report, suggesting that all three statements should have been presented to the court for impartial judgment.
Arvind Kejriwal was detained by the Enforcement Directorate earlier this month in connection with a money laundering inquiry related to the Delhi excise policy case.