BRS leader T. Harish Rao undergoes seven-hour questioning in a phone tapping probe, accuses Congress of diversion politics ahead of municipal polls.

Senior T. Harish Rao on Tuesday spent nearly seven hours answering questions at a Hyderabad police station in connection with the phone tapping investigation linked to the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government. Emerging from the questioning, the former minister rejected the allegations and described the exercise as politically motivated.

Harish Rao said investigators repeated what he termed “irrelevant and baseless questions”, adding that the probe was being used as a distraction from more pressing issues. He countered the allegations by demanding an inquiry into coal tenders at Singareni Collieries, accusing the Congress government of favouritism towards firms allegedly linked to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s brother-in-law.

BRS leaders rallied behind Harish Rao, alleging that the timing of the questioning—just ahead of municipal elections—pointed to political vendetta. They claimed investigative agencies were being selectively used to target opposition figures.

Police officials, however, maintained that the questioning was part of routine follow-up in an ongoing investigation and indicated that further summons could be issued if required. The case relates to allegations of illegal surveillance during the BRS tenure, which the party has consistently denied.

The episode highlights escalating tensions between the Congress and BRS, with investigations becoming a central battleground in their political rivalry. As municipal elections approach, such confrontations are likely to intensify, blurring the line between legal scrutiny and political messaging. For the public, the focus will remain on whether these probes lead to clear outcomes or remain locked in accusation and counter-accusation.