Hyderabad, Sept 14: Describing the multi-crore stamp paper scam as a blot on politicians and political parties, Union Minister for Urban Development Bandaru Dattatreya said the scandal would not affect the TDP-BJP combine in the Karwan bypoll in the city slated for later this month. "Though it (stamp paper scam) is a scar on politicians, it would not effect the winning chances of BJP candidate, supported by TDP, in the September 26 bypoll," Dattatreya told reporters here today.

Asserting that stamp paper would not be a poll issue, but only development would be the main issue, Dattatreya alleged that Congress was trying to politicise the issue. "Congress governments in Maharashtra and Kartnataka had shied away from seeking a CBI probe into the episode while TDP sought for such an exercise,' he said, adding "all facts has to come out and stringent action should be taken against those involved in the scandal".

Accusing Congress of having a secret deal with majlis in Karwan bypoll, Dattatreya said the BJP-TDP combine would wrest the seat from majlis.

Bureau Report