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Anirudh Reddy clarifies as ‘secret’ meeting raises political storm in Telangana

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News in short:
Congress MLAs from Telangana held a dinner meeting at ITC Kohinoor hotel to discuss constituency development issues, specifically concerns about ministers in the Telangana government. The meeting was initially reported as a secret gathering at a farmhouse, but both the MP Mallu Ravi and the host of the meeting, MLA Anirudh Reddy, denied the allegations and attributed the meeting to a casual dinner discussion. While the opposition parties attempted to create a controversy around the meeting, both Congress leaders asserted that the meeting was simply a gathering of colleagues to discuss development matters and address concerns collectively. Anirudh Reddy further refuted accusations of wrongdoing and any involvement in brokerage, emphasizing the meeting's non-secretive nature and its focus on legitimate concerns.
Telangana Congress Mlas’ Meeting Sparks Row, Anirudh Reddy Reacts

Hyderabad: A day after the reports of a secret meeting involving 10 Congress MLAs at MLA Anirudh Reddy’s farmhouse in Gandipet emerged, Nagarkurnool MP Mallu Ravi said the meeting was held at ITC Kohinoor and not in a farmhouse.

The reports stated that the closed-door discussion took place under the leadership of Jadcherla MLA Anirudh Reddy. The legislators reportedly discussed concerns related to ministers in the Telangana government.

Nagarkurnool MP accused the opposition parties of trying to blow the meeting out of proportion and downplayed the controversy saying it was a “casual dinner meeting.”

Speaking to reporters in the national capital, Mallu Ravi said the opposition are misleading the people claiming the meeting was held at a farmhouse and the Congress MLAs had some ‘secretive agenda’.

Responding to the allegations of ‘secret meeting’, the Congress MP said, “One of the MLAs had a concern that required the attention of a Minister, and the others assured him they would approach the Minister collectively.”

Meanwhile, the host of the meeting MLA Anirudh Reddy has strongly denied the allegations of wrongdoing and said he will not tolerate his “character assassination.”

“I am an MLA with character. My family has a strong legacy, and we don’t engage in brokerage. If the Revenue Minister claims I asked for any file, let him present it. Character assassination is not acceptable,” Anirudh Reddy told a private TV channel on Sunday.

Elaborating on the meeting, Jadcherla MLA said the party colleagues met at Kohinoor Hotel and discussed constituency-related developmental issues.

“In the past, during BRS rule, we had to stay subdued. In Congress, we can directly seek solutions for our development works. If ten MLAs meet, does that mean something is wrong? It was just a dinner meeting,” he added.