TDP MLA's case echoes in Andhra assembly

HYDERABAD: The political battle between the ruling Congress and main opposition Telugu Desam over the criminal case filed against a TDP MLA
reached the Andhra Pradesh Assembly today with the government asserting that a prima facie case existed against him.

The TDP MLA from Kovvur T V Rama Rao, who had been accused of misbehaving with the girl students from Kerala in the Nursing institute run by him at Nidadavole in West Godavari district, asserted in the Assembly today that the allegations levelled against him were false.

Claiming that he was framed in the case as he refused offers to join the Congress, Rama Rao said the reporter of a Telugu daily and some Congress leaders were instrumental in the conspiracy.

The incident made headlines on June 18 following reports that murder and rape took place in the institute. The reports, however, subsequently turned out to be incorrect.

Sharply attacking the Congress government, the MLA had gone on an indefinite fast in Hyderabad which ended after he was admitted to a hospital.

Alleging that the case was politically motivated as no student or any family member lodged any complaint over the matter, the Telugu Desam organised a massive agitation against the Congress government.