ED reaches election-bound states before Modi does: BRS leader K Kavitha on Delhi liquor scam summons

Kavitha said the probe agencies reach the states where elections are due even before Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches there for campaigning, and alleged that this was the nature of such centrally-controlled organisations, according to an India Today report.

She alleged that the assembly elections in Telangana are likely in December and the Centre has been sending probe agencies to the state since June last year.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned the BRS leader for questioning on March 9 in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. However, she sought another date from the ED and proposed to appear on March 16 instead.

Slamming the BJP-led Centre, she referred to the summons as a method of intimidation against her father Telangana CM KCR and the BRS.

She alleged as many as 15 to 16 BRS ministers have been targeted in different cases.

Criticising PM Modi, Kavitha said in a press conference, “I request Modiji to go to the people and tell them what he has done for the people of Telangana. He should win hearts first and then seek votes.”

She accused the BJP of forming government in nine states through the “backdoor” but the party couldn’t do the same in Telangana. “They tried to intimidate us but we aren’t the ones to be afraid.”

According to ED, Kavitha was part of the "South Cartel," which allegedly received kickbacks following the implementation of the now-cancelled liquor policy in Delhi. However, she has refuted these allegations and accused the government of misusing investigative agencies for political purposes.

Kavitha said the ED refused her demand to be interrogated at her residence.

In addition, she asserted that if a woman is to be interrogated by a central agency, then it is her "fundamental right" to be questioned at her residence, as per the law.

"We released a poster on March 2 about the hunger strike in Delhi over the Women's Reservation Bill. Eighteen parties confirmed their participation. ED summoned me on March 9. I requested March 16, but don't know what haste they're in, so I agreed to March 11," she was quoted as saying by NDTV.

"I requested ED that they can come to my house on March 11 to investigate, but they said I will have to come to them," the BRS leader added.

On the 18 parties' protest in Jantar Mantar tomorrow, she said they will press for the introduction of the Bill in the current session of Parliament. "Even after 27 years, we are still discussing about the Women Reservation Bill," she said.