Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K. Kavitha was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) shortly after the central probe agency, along with the Income Tax department, conducted searches at her residence in Hyderabad on Friday.
The BRS MLC is being taken to Delhi for questioning in connection with a money laundering case associated with the now-defunct Delhi excise policy.
Transition to politics
Kavitha, daughter of former Telangana chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, pursued her education in the US before returning to the state as the Telangana statehood movement gained momentum. Actively participating in the movement, she emerged as a prominent figure, leading large-scale all-women protests. In 2006, she founded Telangana Jagruthi to promote the state’s culture, traditions, and festivals. Kavitha’s efforts played a crucial role in revitalising the Bathukamma flower festival, now a highlight of the state’s cultural calendar.
Transitioning to electoral politics in 2014, Kavitha contested and won in the Lok Sabha elections from Nizamabad, securing victory by a margin of 1.67 lakh votes over the Congress’ incumbent MP Madhu Goud Yaskhi. However, her tenure faced criticism for neglecting the grievances of turmeric farmers demanding a turmeric board for price regulation. This discontent paved the way for her defeat to the BJP’s Dharmapuri Aravind in 2019.
Following a brief hiatus from public life, Kavitha made a comeback in October 2020, winning a seat in the state Legislative Council from Nizamabad. She was re-elected to the House in December 2021 and remains a vocal critic of the BJP-led Centre, opposing initiatives such as the proposed auction of assets belonging to a Cement Corporation of India unit in Adilabad, and advocating against rising prices and inflation.
ED’s Allegations
The ED alleges Kavitha’s involvement in a “South Group” lobby of liquor traders under the Delhi excise policy. It alleged that one of the accused in the case, Vijay Nair, received kickbacks on behalf of AAP leaders from this group, purportedly controlled by Kavitha and others. Pillai, a key figure in the case, reportedly had close ties with Kavitha.
The ED also claims Pillai represented Kavitha’s ‘benami investments’ and alleges political collaboration between Kavitha and Delhi’s CM Arvind Kejriwal and former deputy CM Manish Sisodia.
Others alleged to be part of the ‘South Group’ include Raghav Magunta, the son of Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, and P Sarath Chandra Reddy, the son of P V Ramprasad Reddy, who is the co-founder of the Hyderabad-based Aurobindo Pharma.
Kavitha has repeatedly denied all allegations related to the liquor scam on multiple occasions. In an interview with The Indian Express prior to last year’s elections, she firmly refuted the accusations, stating, “I had no role in it. They have made sweeping allegations and put the burden of proof on me… But we are fighting it. We are talking about state excesses and the misuse of agencies.”
Significantly, Kavitha’s arrest comes on the same day that the Congress government in Telangana completes 100 days, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a roadshow on Friday in the Hyderabad suburb of Malkajgiri.
(With inputs from agencies)
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