Refuting the allegations levelled by Tourism Minister Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao (Avanthi) that Telugu Desam Party MLAs had amassed wealth illegally, party’s senior leader and former MLA Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy has said that making only ‘wild allegations’ will not do, but evidence.
Assets declaration
“Prior to every general elections since 2009, I had declared my assets which are in the public domain. It can be assessed by anyone for perusal. I had served as Municipal Administration Minister in the past, but I do not even own a house or a flat in the city,” a visibly irked Mr. Satyanarayana Murthy told the media here on Monday.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said that Mr. Avanthi must to keep the evidence ready to buttress his claims before of levelling allegations.
“I will send him (Mr. Avanthi) a copy of my asset declaration which I had submitted to the Election Commission of India. The Tourism Minister can refer to the documents,” Mr. Satyanarayana Murthy said.
Asked whether he would make any charges against Mr. Avanthi as he was a Telugu Desam MP from Anakapalle parliamentary constituency before the 2019 general elections, Mr. Murthy said he would not indulge in counter allegations as the people would feel that he was indulging in mudslinging after losing the poll battle.
ADVERTISEMENT
‘Speaking for myself’
Referring to the performance of the new government, Mr. Satyanarayana Murthy said the TDP had decided to give a ‘breathing time’ to the YSR Congress Party government to settle down.
“I will come up with evidence against Mr. Avanthi in six months,” he said and declined to speak on behalf of the other former TDP MLAs, though the Minister had made allegations against all of them.
“I have not informed any of them about my press conference as I thought I would speak for myself,” the TDP senior leader added.