TDP Writes To ECI Claiming 'Tapping' Of Nara Lokesh's Phone By Jagan Govt

Former Rajya Sabha member and senior Telugu Desam Party leader K Ravindra Kumar wrote a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, urging immediate action in the matter.

TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh.

Source : ANI

New Delhi: The Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) alleged on Friday that the mobile phone of its general secretary, Nara Lokesh, is “being tapped” by Andhra Pradesh police officials at the direction of the ruling YSRCP.

Former Rajya Sabha member and senior Telugu Desam Party leader K Ravindra Kumar wrote a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, urging immediate action in the matter.

"Mobile phone manufacturing company Apple has sent a security alert to the TDP national general secretary, Nara Lokesh, that his phone is being hacked," the Opposition party said in a press release.

Kumar accused Andhra Pradesh DGP K V Rajendranath Reddy and Intelligence chief P S R Anjaneyulu of using Pegasus spy software to tap into Lokesh's phone, alleging their involvement in “unethical practices”.

"Reddy and Intelligence chief P S R Anjaneyulu have become pawns of the YSRCP and are engaging in unethical and illegal activities to jeopardise the prospects of NDA partners in the upcoming elections," Kumar said.

He further showed the alerts received from Apple, adding that similar messages were received in March.

Kumar urged the Election Commission to take swift action and appealed for the appointment of “neutral and reputed officers” to ensure fair elections.

Assembly elections are scheduled to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls in Andhra Pradesh on May 13.

In response to the alleged phone tapping incident, Nara Lokesh said that Apple had alerted him about the second attempt to tap his phone by the agencies. He claimed there is compelling evidence suggesting that state agencies are attempting to tap into the phones of Opposition leaders.

#WATCH | Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh: On alleged phone tapping incident, TDP National General Secretary Nara Lokesh says, "I was alerted by Apple that this was the second attempt to tap my phone by agencies. So, there is clear evidence that the state agency is trying to tap our… pic.twitter.com/wFBNCidlJb

— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2024

"This is nothing new. We have flagged numerous concerns in the past, and we take this matter very seriously. I have already lodged complaints with both the state and central Election Commission... This poses a serious threat to democracy... The government is fabricating false cases and trying to hack our phones... TDP will vehemently oppose this," Lokesh said.