The political climate in Telangana has intensified, with Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR) challenging Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to a lie detector test amidst ongoing investigations by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) into alleged irregularities surrounding the Hyderabad Formula E race.

KTR, who previously served as a minister in the BRS government, has been summoned by the ACB to appear for questioning on Monday, June 16, 2025, concerning the Formula E race held in Hyderabad. This marks the second summons, with the first issued on May 28, 2025, which KTR was unable to attend due to a pre-planned trip to the United States. He assured the ACB of his cooperation upon his return. The ACB's investigation revolves around alleged misuse of approximately ₹55 crore in public funds during the event's organization, with KTR named as Accused No. 1 (A1) in the FIR.

Responding to the summons, KTR has launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and the Congress-led state government, accusing them of political vendetta and attempting to divert public attention from their governance failures. KTR argues that the ₹44 crore allocated for the Formula E race remains in the organizing company's account and questions why the current government has not retrieved the funds.

In a bold move, KTR challenged Revanth Reddy to undergo a lie detector test, broadcast live on television in the presence of a judge, to determine who is culpable. He referenced a pending case against Revanth Reddy related to the "cash-for-vote" scam from 2015, where Revanth Reddy was allegedly caught with ₹50 lakh while bribing an MLA. KTR suggested that since both leaders face ACB investigations, a lie detector test would be a transparent way to reveal the truth to the people of Telangana. He has also criticized the government for wasting public money on repeated inquiries and propaganda, especially when they claim the state is bankrupt.

KTR's challenge has ignited a fiery debate in Telangana's political arena. Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar responded to KTR's challenge, saying it reflects his deep, visceral personality and his current mindset. Meanwhile, KTR's sister and BRS MLC, K Kavitha, has voiced her support for her brother, condemning the repeated notices as part of a political agenda and vowing to expose the government's failures.

This isn't the first time KTR has proposed a lie detector test. In January 2025, after being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for seven hours in connection with the same Formula E case, KTR made a similar challenge to Revanth Reddy. He argued that a lie detector test would be a more efficient and cost-effective way to uncover the truth compared to the extensive investigations.

The ACB's investigation continues, with the agency stating they have gathered significant information and require further clarification from KTR. The outcome of this investigation and the response to KTR's challenge remain to be seen, but they are sure to have a significant impact on Telangana's political landscape as the state gears up for local elections.