Seizure of Rs 42 cr in Karnataka- The money was supposed to be spent in Telangana says Harish Rao

Hyderabad: Finance Minister T Harish Rao on Friday said that the money seized by the Income Tax department sleuths in Karnataka was supposed to be spent in Telangana.

Addressing a press conference in Medak, Harish Rao said that while there was 40 per cent commission government in Karnataka in the past now there was 50 per cent commission government. Crores of rupees were found in the IT raids on the Congress leaders in Karnataka. The Congress is trying to spend the money earned illegally in Telangana during the elections. The Congress leaders are trying to win the elections by spending this money, said Harish Rao.

The BRS leader the contractors association president Ambikapati used to take 40 per cent commission then but he is now taking 50 per cent commission. His wife Ashwathama was the Congress corporator. The raid was carried out in the presence of both these persons and Rs 42 crore was unearthed, said Rao suspecting that this money was collected from the contractors to transfer into Telangana in the name of Telangana tax. The Congress leaders should answer this, demanded Harish Rao.

Harish Rao alleged that the Ambikapati was a close associate of Karnataka Minister DK Shiva Kumar and also of Eshwarappa. The Congress party has started collecting money from builders, businessmen, contractors to spend Rs 1,500 crore in Telangana, alleged Rao. The Congress leaders are imposing Rs 75 per sqft as tax to give building permission. Karnataka had become corrupt and the Congress has become Scamgress. They want to win by spending money but they should know it is the BRS which will win the election irrespective of the conspiracies, said Harish Rao