No one perhaps understands better than that power broker how to make hundreds of crores of rupees without investing even a single rupee of his own. Backed by two influential leaders in Andhra Pradesh, the manner in which he is operating aggressively has now become a major topic of discussion in political and official circles. He has earned a reputation for masterminding dubious deals. Having, as critics allege, “graduated from a school of frauds” from the very beginning, he is now functioning without any restraint under the protection of power and influential political leaders. Another fresh controversy linked to this power broker has now come to light. For the past few days, he has reportedly been using all his influence to secure the AP Genco Pumped Storage Project (PSP) proposed at Yadiki in Anantapur district. According to sources, everything had allegedly been arranged in advance so that the project would go to a benami company floated as per their plan.
However, things did not go as smoothly as expected because another mega company, which had long been eyeing the same project, also entered the competition. As a result, the tender deadlines reportedly had to be extended repeatedly. Now, according to power department sources, the power broker has allegedly come up with a new strategy. Under this plan, the ₹5,000-crore AP Genco project would officially be awarded to the benami company brought in by Linga. However, the actual execution of the works would reportedly be handed over through an agreement to the company that had already prepared the DPR and made the necessary groundwork for the project. At the same time, allegations have surfaced that the estimated cost of the project has been inflated by nearly 20 percent. Another key point being discussed is that after securing the Genco Pumped Storage Project and handing over the works to the competing company, Linga is allegedly planning to acquire a major hospital in a rapidly developing city in Andhra Pradesh as part of the arrangement.
Power department sources claim that shares from the deal are also expected to reach influential people holding key positions in the government. A senior IAS officer reportedly stated that the power broker Linga has been operating recklessly by using those in power as cover. Meanwhile, it has also become a hot topic within TDP circles that Linga has allegedly been telling officials that he himself facilitated the transfer of a prominent hospital and medical college in Vijayawada to a trust linked to top leaders in the government. It is being said that, in order to get his own works completed, he has been extending behind-the-scenes support to two key leaders as well. In the case of the Genco power project, realizing that it would be difficult to manage alone, he reportedly brought another powerful minister into the arrangement. Since that minister is allegedly receiving hundreds of crores without directly getting his hands dirty, officials are said to be under pressure to follow whatever instructions are given, leaving no room for objections. According to sources, the deals being orchestrated by this power broker in Andhra Pradesh are now reaching entirely new levels.