TPCC chief challenges all MLAs to undergo drug tests

metro india news  I hyderabad

The drug bust in Telangana, in which former BRS MLA Pilot Rohith Reddy tested positive for alleged drug consumption, kicked up a political row, with TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud on Sunday challenging all MLAs, including opposition leader KT Rama Rao and his party legislators to undergo a narcotics test, which the latter accepted.

TDP MP from Andhra Pradesh Putta Mahesh Kumar and Rohith Reddy were among six people detained here after testing positive, officials said. Speaking to mediapersons, the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president said Rama Rao and his team should come forward for a drug test. He further suggested that all MLAs should undergo the test before the start of the Assembly session which begins on Monday.

"Former MLA Rohit and others testing positive for drug abuse is sensational. There has been a free flow of drugs in Telangana for ten years during the previous BRS rule. Tomorrow, the Assembly session will begin. We will call doctors. 

Your team and our team will undergo drug tests. Since your batch is involved in this kind of activity, we have our doubts. So all of us will undergo tests," the TPCC chief said.

Goud further said Revanth Reddy, after becoming the CM, has been taking stringent measures to prevent the drug menace in the state, and Saturday's bust was part of it.

Reacting to the TPCC chief's challenge, Rama Rao, in post on 'X' said he has already repeated several times that he is ready for any test.

"I have already repeated several times that I am ready for any test. I welcome Mahesh Kumar Goud’s suggestion that public representatives from all political parties should take this test. Let’s lead by example," KTR said in the post.

He also warned that dragging his name into every drug case would be responded to with legal notice.

Rao said BRS condemns usage of drugs and any illegal activities. Anyone using and peddling drugs should be strictly punished as per the law, irrespective of their political affiliation.

"Having said that, I vehemently condemn the way BRS party is being dragged into this highly deplorable situation. Using the drug case to settle scores with BRS is a reflection of your disgusting politics," he said.

Asserting that he is strictly against drugs and usage of illicit substances, KTR said they create monsters out of human beings and is unfortunate that even people in responsible positions are resorting to their usage.

Meanwhile, Congress MLC Venkat Balmoor and party cadres burned the effigy of Rao in front of the Gandhi Bhavan here.

On reliable information that a drug party was going on at a farmhouse in Moinabad near here, owned by Rohith Reddy, the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) Force in coordination with local police teams raided it on Saturday night.

‘I am ready for any test’

Drugs create monsters out of human beings. It is unfortunate that even people in responsible positions are resorting to drug usage. I personally am strictly against drugs and usage of illicit substances. My party BRS condemns usage of drugs and any illegal activities. Anyone using and peddling drugs should be strictly punished as per the law irrespective of their political affiliation Having said that, I vehemently condemn the way BRS party is being dragged into this highly deplorable situation.

Using the drug case to settle scores with BRS is a reflection of your disgusting politics. I have already repeated several times that am ready for any test. I welcome Mahesh Kumar Goud’s suggestion that public representatives from all political parties should take this test. Let’s lead by example. I also hereby warn strongly that dragging my name into any and every drug case will be responded with legal notices.