Political parties hold protest outside CBI's office; allege wrongdoing

The Congress, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and CPI Friday held a demonstration in front of the CBI office here against the move to divest the central agency's Director Alok Verma of his power and send him on leave.

AICC in-charge for Telangana RC Khuntia, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president N Uttam Kumar Reddy, TDP Telangana unit president L Ramana and CPI state secretary Chada Venkat Reddy led the protest.

Congress, TDP and CPI are part of a "grand alliance" for the December 7 Legislative Assembly elections in Telangana. Speaking to reporters here, Khuntia claimed that the NDA government removed CBI Chief to 'suppress' the Rafale issue.

"With the process that is happening to suppress Rafale inquiry..., the confidence in government has gone," he said. The NDA has no right to continue in power even for a day, he claimed.

Alleging that Constitutional institutions have become 'weak' both at the Centre and in Telangana under BJP and TRS respectively, Ramana demanded that Verma be reinstated. CPI's Venkat Reddy slammed the TRS, alleging that the party is supporting Modi government.

CBI Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana have been sent on leave amid an ongoing spat between them.

The prime minister-led appointments committee in an order Tuesday night has given charge of director to Joint Director M Nageshwara Rao with immediate effect.