Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao is virtually in soup now. He might not have expected that his off-the-cuff remarks would land him in so much trouble.
The Election Commission of India has issued notices to television channel NTV asking it to submit the full video of its interview with Kodela.
During the interview, Kodela expressed anguish over the steep increase in election expenditure. He recalled that he had to spend Rs 11.5 crore to win from Narasaraopet in the last Assembly elections.
Though it is an open secret that there is a huge gap between the actual expenditure and the details submitted to the Election Commission, Kodela inadvertently blurted out the facts in the television interview. Naturally, it gave a weapon to YSR Congress party which was waiting for an opportunity to target him. It immediately lodged a petition with the EC.
It may not be possible for the EC to take an immediate decision based on the TV interview, but it will definitely embarrass Kodela, since it would be a talking point among the people.
He might defend it saying he made a general remark, but if the EC takes it seriously, he would be in deep trouble. So, he would have to be doubly careful hereafter!
