BJP waves files, wants CBI; evidence later
BJP’s Alleti says he has “complete evidence” on 102 shell firms and Rs 15,000 crore ‘illegal’ land transfers linked to Revenue Minister Ponguleti — and will send it to central agencies and Rahul Gandhi. Documents were not shown.
The documents were promised, but not shown at the press conference.
BJP Legislature Party leader Alleti Maheshwar Reddy on Thursday demanded a CBI probe and a House committee into what he alleged were illegal land and asset transfers worth about Rs 15,000 crore involving Phoenix Group companies, Raghava Constructions and entities linked to Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy. He told reporters he has “complete evidence” on roughly 102 shell companies and would forward it to central agencies and to Rahul Gandhi, in writing. The evidence itself was not produced. (Source: a report of his remarks.)
According to the Telangana government’s own page, Ponguleti is the state’s Revenue Minister. That portfolio includes registration and land records, and the Section 22‑A prohibited list that bars certain registrations. Alleti alleged farmers’ and private owners’ lands were parked under 22‑A for “commissions”, calling it a “collection section”. He did not share survey numbers, ROC filings, company names, orders or encumbrance records to support it at the presser.
For context, BRS leaders have separately alleged illegal mining and land encroachment linked to Ponguleti’s family; the minister or his side have rejected those claims in earlier reports. Those are different allegations and do not verify Alleti’s Rs 15,000‑crore/102‑company charge. No CBI/ED step, FIR or House committee on this claim is on record in the material reviewed.
We asked the record; it showed one thing: a BJP leader laid out big numbers and promised paperwork. Telangana has seen that routine from national parties before — headlines first, documents when convenient.