Telugu Desam Party MLA from Nellore, Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy, on Saturday admitted that he had issued a recommendation letter to the Home Department requesting parole for rowdy-sheeter Avileli Srikanth, who was convicted in a murder case.
Speaking to reporters, Sridhar Reddy clarified that he made the recommendation after Srikanth’s father and brother approached him for help.
“MLAs often issue recommendation letters when people bring their concerns. Officials then review those requests and make the final decision,” he explained.
The MLA said his recommendation was rejected by officials on July 16, while parole was granted only on July 30 — 14 days after his letter had been declined.
He accused the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of spreading false propaganda over the parole issue.
“The Home Minister says an inquiry is underway. But if my recommendation was already rejected, how did officials grant parole within 14 days?” he asked.
Sridhar Reddy also pointed out that during the YSRCP regime, Srikanth was released on parole based on recommendation letters from Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy and Kiliveti Sanjeevaiah.
“Why is the YSRCP portraying my letter as wrongdoing now? Back then, the same Srikanth was released on their recommendations,” he said.
The TDP legislator added that he doesn’t blame any MLA for writing recommendation letters, since it is a common practice.
“The final authority rests with the officials. Politics teaches lessons every day, and I’ve learned one from this. Going forward, I will not recommend parole for anyone,” he concluded.