Karnataka developments a threat To democracy: Dr. JP

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today warned that attempts of money bags to dictate politics in Karnataka portended a threat to democracy and political parties. He wanted the two national parties – the Congress and the BJP – not to play with fire by succumbing to money power since it is a game that could be played all over India.

Addressing the media, Dr. JP said that Karnataka was witnessing unabashed and naked use of money power to destabilize the Government. Those who had enriched themselves as clients of the State were now emboldened to take reins of the Government into their hands. Those who create Frankenstein monsters should realize they would be gobbled up by them one day or the other.

Dr. JP wanted the two mainstream national parties to put an end to kleptocracy which had no place in democracy.

Describing the spectrum allocation by the Union Telecom Ministry as the biggest scam in India’s history, Dr. JP demanded that the concerned Minister be immediately sacked, the spectrum allocation revoked and fresh allocation made through international competitive bidding. The first come first serve policy followed by the Union Minister by arbitrarily changing the cutoff date had resulted in a loss of Rs.50000 crore to the Government of India and a couple of companies raking in Rs.15000 crore without providing evem a single mobile connection.

In reply to a question, Dr. JP said the Lok Satta Party was committed to honoring the six-point formula, the Presidential Order of 1975 and GO No. 610. He appealed to politicians not to fan flames of hatred by dividing people on regional lines. He welcomed the announcement of elections to the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation by pointing out that his party had filed a writ in the High Court seeking early elections. He took exception to the Chief Minister going on a spree of laying foundation stones while scores of schemes for which foundation stones had been laid languished for want of funds.

He described Telangana Telugu as picturesque and meaningful, and as the language of poet Pothana. To characterize it in any other way was an insult to Telangana people.

Party senior leader Katari Srinivasa Rao took part in the media meet.