The suave and polished face of the BRS government in Telangana for nearly a decade, K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), is expected to face the State Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in the coming weeks.
The state cabinet has instructed the chief secretary of the state to write to ACB to probe KTR. This development could also lead to high-profile arrests. KTR is facing serious allegations in a scam tied to the Formula E racing event held in 2023, during his tenure as IT and Industries Minister, as well as Urban Development Minister. He had pulled out all the stops to bring the race to Hyderabad.
In February 2023, Hyderabad became the only Indian city to host this prestigious international event, joining the ranks of cities like Tokyo, São Paulo, and Monaco. A dedicated circuit was developed around Hussainsagar Lake in the heart of the city, and the route was closed over weekends to facilitate the race. Formula E is a racing championship exclusively for electric race cars.
The event’s chief sponsor was Greenko, a private electric utility company, supported by Hyderabad Racing Limited and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA). The inaugural event was considered a success, attracting an impressive lineup of participants and garnering widespread attention from locals and celebrities alike.
Later that year, in a bid to host the next edition, the Municipal Affairs and Urban Development (MA&UD) Ministry, led by KTR, entered into an agreement with Formula E Operations. With Greenko withdrawing as the official sponsor, the MA&UD stepped in with financial support to ensure that the tenth season of the race would take place in Hyderabad.
However, this move has now turned into a potential scam. A sum of ₹55 crore was allegedly released by the department on oral instructions from KTR, bypassing proper paperwork and the necessary approvals from the State Finance Department.
Later, the organisers decided to cancel the race under the new Congress government. Senior IAS officer Arvind Kumar, who headed the MA&UD at the time, has also come under scrutiny. The ACB obtained permission from the chief secretary to probe Kumar. Similarly, the state government sought consent from the state governor to investigate and prosecute KTR, which has also been granted.
The BRS is preparing for large-scale protests against the Congress government if KTR, who is also the son of KCR, is arrested. Expect the new year to trigger intense political fireworks in Telangana.