CBI questions Congress MP in Jagan's illegal assets case

The ongoing CBI probe into the alleged illegal assets of the YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has taken a significant turn with the investigating agency on Saturday questioning Congress MP KVP Ramachandra Rao, a close aide of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy.

KVP, as he is popularly known in the political circles, was an adviser to the YSR government during 2004-2009 and was believed to have played a key role in the policy decisions including land allotments, contracts and granting of licences.

The crux of the CBI case against Jagan, an MP from Kadapa now lodged in Chanchalguda central jail, is that he was benefited by the largesse when his father was at the helm.

It is alleged that several private companies and individuals had received undue favours in terms of land allotments, irrigation contracts and mining licences in return for their huge investments floated by Jagan.

Following summons from the CBI, KVP, a Rajya Sabha member, drove to the Dilkusha Guest House, where the CBI has set up its office, and deposed before the probe agency. The veteran leader was asked questions regarding certain controversial decisions taken by the YSR government by a team of senior CBI officials.

KVP’s detractors within the ruling Congress and outside have been demanding his arrest, dubbing him the key figure in a series of corruption scandals that had rocked YSR regime and accusing him of facilitating “quid pro quo” deals to favour Jagan and his business ventures. After the death of YSR in a helicopter crash in September 2009, KVP remained loyal to the Congress while Jagan parted ways and floated his own party.

The timing of the CBI questioning him assumes significance as it is expected to file its final chargesheet in the disproportionate assets case by the end of this month. This is the first time that KVP, seen in the political circles as an alter ego of YSR has been summoned to appear before the probe agency.