Sparks fly in Gajwel after Vanteru Pratap Reddy’s slur on Harish Rao

HYDERABAD: With campaigning for the Assembly polls entering a crucial phase, the political atmosphere is hotting up in the state with allegations and counter allegations by TRS and Congress leaders, particularly in Gajwel Assembly constituency represented by TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao.

Vanteru Pratap Reddy, Congress’ likely candidate from Gajwel, on Saturday claimed Harish Rao called him and asked him to ensure “his uncle KCR is defeated in the ensuing elections”.

Reacting to the charge, Harish Rao said: "I will take legal action against Vanteru Pratap Reddy if he is not able to prove his allegations against me. I will live all my life in TRS and would be with KCR till my last breath. Pratap is playing gimmicks due to fear of his defeat as he has no scope of winning even a sarpanch seat. I will see your end in politics. People will not believe you."

"I can swear on any god. Harish Rao called me over the phone from a private number and said he would extend financial support to me to ensure KCR is defeated. Harish Rao said all the importance in the party is being given to KTR and that he (Harish Rao) is gradually being relegated without any power in TRS. Harish told me that we should work together to defeat KCR," the Congress aspirant claimed at a meeting in Gajwel constituency on Saturday. Soon after Pratap Reddy’s speech video went viral, political circles were agog with different conspiracy theories.

Despite repeated attempts by TOI, Pratap Reddy could not be reached on his mobile. The political grapevine is that Harish might have laid the bait to trap Pratap Reddy.

Responding to the allegations, Harish Rao threw a challenge at Pratap Reddy to either prove his allegations or tender an unconditional apology. "Even if Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi come and campaign in Gajwel, no one can defeat KCR. I will be with TRS and KCR all my life," Harish Rao said at a meeting in Gajwel later in the evening.

While condemning rumours of him (Harish Rao) joining Congress, Harish Rao said, “Pratap Reddy is an opportunist. I will ensure that he will not even retain his deposit in the December 7 polls. Pratap seems to have lost his mental balance. Due to fear of defeat, Pratap is making allegations against me.”

“People of Gajwel are ready to chase away Pratap Reddy and Narsa Reddy from Gajwel,” he added.