2 hrs ago
Telangana BRS-Congress Tensions Rise After Social Media Arrest
Police in Telangana arrested BRS leader Manne Krishank over a social media post.
The post discussed a confrontation involving BRS members and police near the state Assembly.
The confrontation happened during a protest against the Congress government.
BRS leader KTR said the government is unfairly targeting his party.
He also said the government has not fulfilled several promises to farmers.
KTR is being investigated over money paid for a Formula E race in Hyderabad.
He said the race was meant to attract investment in electric vehicles.
Investigators say the payment may have broken rules and lacked Cabinet approval.
The disagreement has increased tension between the ruling Congress and the Opposition BRS.
Police arrested BRS social media convenor Manne Krishank over a post about clashes during a BRS protest.
The confrontation involved BRS members, police and the Telangana Assembly earlier this month.
BRS leader KTR accused the Congress government of targeting Opposition leaders and failing to deliver election promises.
KTR said he has cooperated with the Formula E case investigation and defended the race as an investment initiative.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau alleges that Rs 45 crore was transferred to Formula-E Organisers without required Cabinet clearance.
- Who
- BRS social media convenor Manne Krishank, BRS leader KTR, the Congress government, and Telangana police are central to the dispute.
- What
- Police arrested Krishank over a social media post, while KTR criticized the government and addressed the Formula E case.
- Where
- The events concern Telangana, including the state Assembly and Hyderabad.
- When
- The arrest occurred on Friday, after a confrontation earlier in the month; the article also says Krishank was questioned and released on September 17.
- Why
- Police cited Krishank's post about the protest confrontation; BRS says the Congress government is targeting the Opposition, while the Anti-Corruption Bureau is investigating the Formula E payment.
BRS allegations
Government and investigators' position
Treatment of Opposition leaders
BRS allegations
KTR says the Congress government has focused on targeting and harassing BRS leaders, including KCR and his family, instead of implementing its manifesto.
Government and investigators' position
The government has brought cases linked to the protest and the Formula E payment; the article reports the investigative allegations but does not provide a direct government response to KTR's claims.
Farmers' promises
BRS allegations
KTR says the Congress government failed to fulfill promises including a Rs 2 lakh loan waiver, Rs 15,000 Rythu Bharosa and a farmers' bonus.
Government and investigators' position
The article reports KTR's accusations but does not include the Congress government's response on these promises.
Formula E case
BRS allegations
KTR says the race brought Hyderabad and Telangana a good name and was intended to attract large-scale electric-vehicle investment; he denies wrongdoing by cooperating with the inquiry.
Government and investigators' position
The Anti-Corruption Bureau alleges that Rs 45 crore was paid without Cabinet clearance and that the transfers violated Reserve Bank of India rules, resulting in an Rs 8 crore fine for the Telangana government.
Key facts
- Arrested person
- Manne Krishank, BRS social media convenor
- Political parties
- Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Congress
- Formula E payment
- Rs 45 crore transferred to Formula-E Organisers in February 2023
- Investigation agency
- Anti-Corruption Bureau
- Alleged procedural issue
- The Anti-Corruption Bureau says Cabinet clearance was not obtained before the payment was authorized.
- Alleged regulatory issue
- The money was transferred in sterling, which the agency says violated Reserve Bank of India rules.
- Government fine
- The Telangana government was allegedly fined Rs 8 crore over the transfers.
Quotes
K. T. Rama Rao (KTR)
BRS working president and Telangana politician
“For the last three years, ever since the Congress government came to power, its entire focus has been on targeting the Opposition.”
indianexpress.com
“The Formula E race was an initiative that brought a good name to Hyderabad and Telangana.”
indianexpress.com










