YSRCP MLAs Go Hammer and Tongs Against TDP Over Pegasus in AP Assembly

AMARAVATI:  It was decided in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Monday to constitute a Legislature House Committee to probe into the alleged purchase and illicit use of Pegasus spyware by the previous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government.

On day nine of the Legislative Council and the Assembly session a brief discussion on the issue was held with the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) members went hammer and tongs against the TDP in the house, alleging that the previous TDP regime purchased the spyware to tap telephonic conversation of private persons.

Legislative Affairs Minister Buggana Rajendranath moved a motion in the Assembly stating Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had stated in the West Bengal Assembly that the Chandrababu government purchased spyware technology either officially or unofficially.

Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy alleged that the previous TDP government had resorted to a serious crime with ulterior motives through the purchase of spyware. It had called for tenders and four firms filed the bids. However, three of them left, finally leaving just one which was floated only one month before the tenders by Chetan, who was the son of the then Intelligence chief AB Venkateswara Rao, close to Chandrababu Naidu and visited Israel in connection with the deal which was done through an unofficial channel. He said even the Supreme Court constituted a committee to probe into the issue.“ Since such serious allegations have come at the national level, there is a need for a thorough investigation,” the Minister said. While announcing the decision, Speaker Tammineni Sitaram said that the members of the committee would be finalised in a couple of days. (With inputs from Telangana Today)

Minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy Statement On Pegasus Spyware in AP Assembly On Monday

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