Another political turmoil is erupting after the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) key ally TDP (Telugu Desam Party) announced Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy or Magunta Reddy as its candidate for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Magunta Reddy is the father of Raghava Reddy who is an accused-turned-approver in the Delhi excise policy case that has led to the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Notably, the ED has arrested Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on the statement given by four witnesses and one of them is Magunta Reddy's son Raghava. Now, the question arises who is Magunta Reddy? Below is everything you need to know-
Who is Magunta Reddy?
Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy is a four-time MP from Ongole, Andhra Pradesh. His name surfaced in the liquor policy case. His son is an approver in the excise policy case.
Notably, during the hearing in Rouse Avenue court on Thursday, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had himself made submissions before his custody was extended till April 1. During his mention, Arvind Kejriwal took Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy's name. Delhi CM stated that Magunta Reddy visited the Chief Minister's Office on March 16, 2021. As per a newswire, AAP Supremo Kejriwal said his office gave the then YSRCP MP an appointment to meet after 10 days.
Arvind Kejriwal said he asked the Andhra MP to give him the letter which he will forward to the LG. On September 16, 2022, Reddy's house was raided and ED asked him whether he met Kejriwal. After the MP confirmed this and said that the meeting was related to seeking land for his family's trust, Kejriwal claimed that the ED was ‘not happy’ and later arrested his son Raghav in February last year.
Congress leader & senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi during an interview with a news portal said, "The most important argument which took place for almost 20 minutes is a very fascinating argument. I took four star witnesses Entire case of ED is based on four names. Butchi Babu, one Reddy father (Magunta Reddy), Raghav Reddy (his son), Arvind, and one more chap (Sarath Reddy). Now, for each of those I showed a clear pattern, demonstrated with dates... seven steps. Step one- You Magunta or Raghav Reddy give one, two, or three statements, nothing talking about Kejriwal, not even a single word. So they are called exculpatory statements."
AAP's reaction to Magunta Reddy fighting Lok Sabha Elections 2024
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj on Saturday was quoted saying, "We told you about Sharat Reddy’s relation with the BJP. He donated money to the BJP after being arrested in a money laundering case. Today, we are talking about ex-YSRCP MP Magunta Reddy and his son Raghav Manguta Reddy. Yesterday, the NDA member TDP nominated him (Magunta Reddy) as its candidate for Lok Sabha elections. This means PM Modi and the entire BJP will now garner votes for someone who is the key witness against (Delhi CM) Arvind Kejriwal."