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The cash-for-vote scam in Telangana took a dramatic turn on Sunday with the release of an audio tape of a purported telephonic conversation between Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and nominated Telangana legislator Elvis Stephenson.
Parakala Prabhakar Advisor (Communications) to the Andhra government strongly denied reports, saying that the tapes were fabricated. He said the AP government will take up the issue seriously.
The reported conversation suggested that the Andhra CM was giving "assurance of all sorts" to the MLA if he votes for the TDP nominee in the Telangana Legislative Council election.
Prabhakar further alleged that the Telangana government is trying to malign the image of the AP chief minister by resorting to cheap tactics.
"It is not the chief minister's conversation. How come they are available outside. Telangana government has to give answer to this. Telangana CM and Home minister should give answers," Parakala said.
The anti-corruption bureau of Telangana is in the process of questioning TDP MLA Revanth Reddy and two others who have been arrested in cash-for-vote case.
On May 31, the ACB arrested Reddy for allegedly trying to bribe the nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson to vote for TDP nominee in the Telangana Legislative Council election.
Based on a complaint by Stephenson, ACB officials held Revanth, Sebastian Harry and Uday Simha.
Earlier, Telangana Home Minister alleged that Naidu is the key person in the issue.
