Two Andhra Pradesh Ministers Under Spotlight Over Alleged Hotel Dealings
TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu once repeatedly stressed that governance should have a human touch. Now, it appears that he has completely forgotten that principle. Chandrababu’s model is to promote a different buzzword during each term through extensive publicity by media outlets supportive of him, only to forget about it entirely later. This time, in the Andhra Pradesh coalition government, there is widespread talk that corruption and other forms of influence have taken precedence over the human touch. Such discussions are gaining momentum not only among government circles but also among TDP leaders. In particular, the activities of two key Andhra Pradesh ministers, allegedly being carried out from a prominent hotel in Hyderabad, have now become a hot topic within the TDP. There is widespread discussion that the two ministers are using this hotel as a base to settle matters related to their respective departments, while also conducting various other dealings from there.
The activities of one of these ministers have already come to light once. Even so, he has shown no signs of concern. He has changed the location but not his modus operandi, and his activities have continued without interruption. TDP leaders say that, compared with the past, the minister now enjoys even stronger backing from influential people within the government and has consequently become more emboldened. Highly reliable sources within the TDP have revealed that another powerful minister has now joined him. There is talk within the party that the two ministers are competing with each other even in matters of corruption. According to these sources, both ministers have permanent rooms at a star hotel, although the rooms are not officially registered in either of their names. However, the hotel is allegedly serving as a base for their illegal activities. One of the ministers is said to have extremely close ties with people from the film industry. It is also alleged that he has invested substantial amounts of money earned through corruption with people associated with the industry. As a result, key figures from the film industry are reportedly taking care of all the minister’s needs through the Kohinoor establishment, a minister revealed.
What is surprising is that, in the past, whenever allegations were made against a minister or an official, inquiries would be conducted and action would be taken. Now, the situation appears to be the opposite. Those in power seem to treat individuals as highly capable performers the more allegations they face. During Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s tenure as Chief Minister, there was widespread talk in official circles that some IAS officers had similarly maintained permanent rooms at a star hotel in the Begumpet area. Even after the bifurcation of the state, similar allegations were levelled against some ministers and MLAs in Telangana. Now, two key ministers from Andhra Pradesh are allegedly deeply involved in corruption and are spending the money they have accumulated on luxurious activities in Hyderabad, a senior minister said. Since the days of the undivided state, those in power have allegedly accumulated enormous amounts of money through irrigation projects and other projects. There is growing discussion even within government circles that some ministers, along with certain IAS officers, have completely strayed from the right path as a result.
