Leaked audio has Congress leader Venkat Reddy asking colleagues to vote for BJP-nominee brother in Munugode

In the audio clip, the voice is heard urging the Congress leader to work for Rajagopal Reddy, though he belongs to a different party.

“Anyway, I am going to become the PCC president soon, and then I will go on to become the state’s chief minister. Then I would take care of all your needs,” the voice said.

He also claimed he would undertake a padayatra across the state and bring the Congress to power. Till then, let all Congress leaders support his brother, he said.

“Don’t look at the party on behalf of which Rajagopal Reddy is contesting. Look at him and vote. He has done a lot for the people. He is always ready to help anyone in distress. He would visit any family if they have any problem or attend weddings to bless the couples. He is a nice man. Support him. I am here to take care of you. Don’t worry,” he said.

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Rajagopal Reddy reacts

Reacting to the leak of the audio tape where his brother Venkat Reddy is heard urging Congress leaders in Munugode to vote for him, Rajagopal Reddy shot back asking what was wrong with that.

He recalled making an appeal to the people to vote for BJP candidate Eatala Rajender in the Huzurabad by-election as he wanted the TRS to be taken down.

“At that time I was in Congress and yet I made the appeal to voters to support Rajender because my priority was the protection of democracy,” he contended.

“In Munugode, even TRS MLAs are calling me and expressing the desire that I should win the by-election,” he said.

Revanth Reddy breaks down

Even as a senior Congress leader was caught on the clip canvassing for the BJP, TPCC chief A Reveanth Reddy broke down while addressing a news conference earlier in the day, in which he made a spirited appeal to the party workers to see that the Congress’ nominee Palvai Sravanthi won the by-election.

“The other two parties have loads of money. But we do not have any. If we have to match them, we have to become highway robbers or break into the houses of the rich, which we cannot do. We represent a party wedded to democratic traditions,” he said.

Revanth Reddy also appealed to all Congress workers to converge in Munugode and visit each and every house and seek their support for Sravanthi, who is well-educated and has a grasp of the problems faced by the people.

“On top of it, she is the daughter of Palvai Govardhan Reddy, who did not crave money because he was a man of integrity,” he said as his eyes filled with tears.

Congress workers urged to campaign

The TPCC chief asked the party workers not to hesitate if they did not have money.

“Go to Munugode and eat what little you can buy or ask for food at the doorsteps of the people in the constituency, and explain to them the dark pact between the TRS and the BJP to demolish the Congress,” said the Congress leader.

Revanth Reddy also said that since he is to take part in Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, which is set to enter the state on Sunday, he would not be available for them, but the workers should spread out and take up campaigning as they have never done.

He said that Sravanthi and other leaders had decided to organise a two-day Deeksha on 26 and 27 October, in which he too would take part, at Chandur in Munugode.

“We hope to get permission for the Deeksha from the authorities,” he said.