A letter written by Textiles Minister Dr P Shankar Rao to Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday triggered a major controversy within the Congress party.
Shankar Rao alleged that the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was not providing him enough security probably due to pressure from one group. Although he did not specify whether was referring to Jagan Mohan Reddy’s group, he claimed that Kiran Kumar Reddy was not supporting his fight against corruption.
In his letter, Shankar complained to Sonia Gandhi that the Chief Minister has completely ignored the complaints that he filed with the Police regarding the threat to his life. Talking to media persons at Congress Legislature Party office, he said that he gave a detailed account of threatening calls that he has been receiving after the CBI began its probe against Jagan Mohan Reddy.
However, more than the threats to his life Shankar Rao’s letter was targeted at the Chief Minister. He accused Kiran Kumar Reddy of humiliating him before other cabinet colleagues. He also alleged that the Chief Minister directed the officials not to follow his orders.
Shankar Rao told reporters that the Chief Minister has violated High Command orders, which directed him to provide a bullet proof car and additional security.