Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Dr.JP’s Road Show in Parkal on May 30
Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan will campaign for Mr. Maheswarapu Gattaiah, the party’s candidate in the by-election to the assembly from Parkal constituency on Wednesday, May 30.
Arriving at Parkal from Hanumakonda at 10-00 a.m., Dr.JP will be conducting a roadshow in Parkal, Atmakur in the forenoon and in Geesukonda, Gangadevipalli and Sangem in the evening.
Forty-three-year-old Gattaiah, President of the Lok Satta Party's Warangal district unit, has been practicing law in Warangal district court for the last 17 years.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Jagan's arrest merely mirrors the crisis in AP: Dr. JP
The arrest of Mr. Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy, President of the YSR Congress Party and Member of Parliament, merely exemplifies the rotten state of politics in Andhra Pradesh, said Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today.
Gloating over his arrest by the CBI or accusing the CBI of vindictive action are both uncalled for, said Dr. JP and added that all traditional parties in the State have been guilty of abusing power and indulging in corruption and transforming politics into business. That is why the Lok Satta long ago described Andhra Pradesh as the epicenter of corruption in the country.
Against such a backdrop, pointing the accusing the finger only at Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy is nothing short of deceiving people. In the by-election to the Ongole Assembly seat the three traditional parties are said to be spending not less than Rs.20 crore each. Why would anybody spend so much to get elected as an MLA who earns a monthly salary of Rs.5000 excluding allowances?
Dr. JP said that Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy had attracted widespread attention because he indulged in white money corruption in that he received kickbacks for the favors done by his Chief Minister father by way of cheques.
Addressing a media conference, Dr. JP said that all traditional parties in India have blurred the distinction between vote and law. In a monarchy, what a king says is law but in a democracy everyone is subject to law. That is why although highly popular, leaders like Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav and Miss Jayalalitha resigned as Chief Ministers when they faced criminal charges.
It is time that all parties, media, NGOs and educated people pondered how to reverse the decline and fall in Andhra Pradesh politics. They should introspect how a State ruled by men of impeccable integrity and sacrifice like Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu and Neelam Sanjiva Reddy had witnessed a precipitous fall in political standards and morality.
He recalled that B. R. Ambedkar himself had bemoaned the decline in political standards when he said that "we built a wonderful temple – the Constitution- with great love and passion but before we could install Gods, devils stepped in."
Dr. JP announced that the Lok Satta Party would fight for making the ACB and the CB CID in Andhra Pradesh autonomous by filing public interest litigation in the High Court. In consultation with Left parties and civic organizations, the Lok Satta would launch a movement from August 9 to December 9 to educate and enlighten the public and enlist their cooperation in building institutions for eliminating corruption in public life. After all, there are good people in all parties including the Congress, TDP and YSR Congress.
Dr. JP appealed to people belonging to all sections to maintain peace and act with restraint and desist from indulging in mutual accusations and acts of provocation. They should respect the verdict of courts which are known for their independence, impartiality and objectivity.
Lok Satta Leaders V. Laxman Balaji, Bandaru Ramamohan Rao and P. Bhaskara Rao took part in the media conference.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Wild charges undermine fight against corruption, Dr. JP tells Team Anna
Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today counseled Team Anna not to undermine our collective fight against corruption by making wild allegations in irrational exuberance and in reckless abandon for principle of elementary fairness and natural justice.
Sharply reacting to Team Anna’s demand for an inquiry by a panel of judges into allegations against Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and 14 other Union Ministers, Dr. JP said in a media statement that assuming every one is corrupt and every Government decision is tainted with corruption unless otherwise proved is a sure recipe for disaster.
“Nothing can be more illogical and untrue than assuming that everyone in politics is bad and those outside politics are angels.
“Those who fight against corruption must have respect for truth and evidence and not rely on hearsay and speculation.”
Dr. JP said the need of the hour today is building institutions and shaping policies that promote integrity and competence and not reviling everybody and creating conditions of anarchy.
“We may or may not like politics and policies of certain leaders. We may even be deeply offended by their approach to certain issues. But it will be a travesty of justice to accuse them of corruption.”
Dr. JP recalled that the Lok Satta took a similar stand when reckless allegations were leveled against Team Anna.
Dr. JP said that there is no place for vindictiveness and malicious propaganda in public life, and quoted Mahatma Gandhi as saying that the best and quickest way of getting justice is rendering justice to the opponent. “If we do not extend adversaries the same courtesy that we seek from them, then society becomes a living hell and nation becomes notional.”
Dr. JP underlined that there are many men and women in public life who maintain high standards of conduct and probity against heavy odds and named leaders like Dr. Manmohan Singh, Pranab Mukherjee, A. K. Antony, L. K. Advani, Arun Jaitley, Nitish Kumar, Buddadeb Bhattacharya, Navin Patnaik, Narendra Modi, Mamata Banerjee, Prakash Karat, Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy and N. Rangasamy.
Dr. JP asked Team Anna to focus on nation building and not on hitting headlines.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Dr. JP’s tribute to Chukkapalli
Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan said that Mr. Chukkapalli Pitchaiah, who passed away at Vijayawada on May 24, was not merely a prominent businessman but also a philanthropist, humanist and ideal citizen.
In a media statement, Dr. JP said that Mr. Pitchaiah regarded himself as a trustee for the money he earned as an ethical businessman and spent part of it for social welfare. The society today needs a large number of people like Mr. Pitchaiah who lived up to Mahatma Gandhi’s trusteeship doctrine. Young business people should regard him as a role model.
Left leaning Pitchaiah developed Popular Shoe Mart to match multinational companies. He tried to promote awareness on social evils like caste by publishing and distributing booklets during events like marriages.
Dr. JP recalled that Mr. Pitchaiah had a soft corner for the Lok Satta and conveyed condolences to his family members and employees.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Minister's arrest reveals only the tip of the iceberg of corruption: Dr. JP
The Central Bureau of Investigation's arrest of Minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana indicates how deep the rot in Andhra Pradesh Government is, commented Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today.
"It is a reflection of rampant and habitual abuse of authority, a hallmark of politics and governance in the State for several years," said Dr. JP in a media statement.
He appealed to all sections of people to cooperate with the investigating agencies and help expose and punish the guilty in all corrupt deals involving abuse of power, illegitimate gains to certain favored people, loss to public exchequer and loss of precious natural resources.
Dr. JP pointed out that there are many more in the Government, public sector and corporate world who acted with great impunity and plundered the State. They must be thoroughly investigated and the money flow established in the crimes for which they are charged.
"Above all, the process of justice must be speeded up and a framework created to ensure that everybody, no matter how high, is brought to book."
He called for vastly strengthening the investigative and forensic abilities of the CBI, which as of now does not have adequate resources to investigate mounting and complex corruption cases.
Dr. JP demanded that the CBI, ACB and CBCID be made completely autonomous, accountable and non-political independent bodies. Prosecution of offences should be independent of political and executive control. An independent and strong Lokayukta should be constituted at the State level with adequate powers and resources to deal with corruption.
Dr. JP demanded constitution of special courts to ensure swift and sure justice and confiscation of properties of the corrupt.
"What is happening is the beginning of a process of addressing the challenges of corruption. We must not rest until clean governance and policies are in place."
Dr. JP to address dentistry convention
Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan will be the chief guest at the sixth National Post-graduate Students' Convention of the Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry at Vikarabad in Ranga Reddy district on Friday, May 25.
About 400 delegates and eminent faculty will take part in the convention being organized at Sri Sai College of Dental Surgery.
The convention aims at imparting knowledge and skills to post-graduate students in the subject of public health dentistry, says Dr. S. Jagadeeswara Rao, the convention's organizing secretary.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Dr. JP undertaking by-election campaign from May 26
Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan will be campaigning for party candidates for 11 days in the by-elections to the State Assembly.
The party is fielding its candidates from five constituencies – Ongole, Prattipadu, Yemmiganur, Rayadrugam and Parakala.
Dr. JP will be campaigning in Ongole constituency on May 26 and 27 and June 9 and 10, in Prattipadu on May 28 and June 8 and in Parakala on May 30 and 31.
He will be campaigning in Yemmiganur on June 4 and 5 and in Rayadurgam on June 6 and 7.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Lok Satta Party names campaign Committees for by-elections
The Lok Satta Party has appointed campaign-cum-coordination committees in the five constituencies -- Ongole, Prattipadu, Yemmiganur, Rayadurgam and Parakala -- from which it is contesting by-elections to the Assembly in association with the CPI (M).
Announcing this in a media statement, Lok Satta Party General Secretary Katari Srinivasa Rao said the party is contesting in alliance with the CPI (M) to provide an alternative platform to people who are fed up with the politics of plunder of traditional parties. People should utilize the Lok Satta-CPI (M) platform to usher in changes in political culture.
Following are members of the committees for the five constituencies:
Ongole: Messrs Bhisetty Babji, Narra Sridhar, Katari Srinivasa Rao and P. Sivaji.
Prattipadu: Messrs P. Ravi Maruth and J. Iramamurthy
Yemmiganur: Messrs K. Omkar, V. Laxman Balaji and M. Satyanarayana
Rayadurgam: Messrs P. Bhaskara Rao, Eeda Chennayya and N. Ravinder
Parakala: Messrs G. Raja Reddy, Bandaru Ramamohana Rao, K. Geeta Murthy and V. Vijayender Reddy
Monday, May 21, 2012
Lok Satta unparalleled in fighting for Telangana causes: Dr. JP
The Lok Satta Party has had a stellar record in fighting for Telangana causes, asserted its President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today.
Announcing that Mr. Maheswarapu Gattaiah would be contesting on behalf of the party in the by-election to the Assembly from Parakal constituency in Warangal district, Dr. JP told a media conference that people have to decide whether they should vote for traditional parties which are bent upon abusing power and indulging in corruption or the Lok Satta which is committed to ushering in corruption-free politics. They should decide whether they want a 'peddala Telangana' or a 'prajala Telangana.
Forty-three-year-old Gattaiah, President of the Lok Satta Party's Warangal district unit, has been practicing law in Warangal district court for the last 17 years.
Dr. JP recalled that it was the Lok Satta Party which took the initiative and got Section 14F deleted from the Presidential Order of 1975 deleted. The section, which provided for recruitment of lower level police personnel in Hyderabad city from all over the State, had triggered the Telangana agitation. It was again the Lok Satta Party which insisted on implementation of G.O. No. 610 in Ranga Reddy district in the teeth of opposition from all other parties. The order provided for repatriation of non-local personnel from Ranga Reddy district.
The Lok Satta Party, Dr. JP pointed out, fought against diversion of the Godavari water from Yellamapalli to quench the thirst of Hyderabad people and pleaded for its utilization in Telangana districts. The party convinced the Chief Minister that implementation of Krishna water project Phase III to meet the drinking water needs of Hyderabad would be cheaper and faster. It is the Lok Satta Party which got the Siddipet market yard, constructed at a cost of Rs.5 crore and left unutilized for many years, opened and went to the rescue of cotton farmers. It is the Lok Satta Party which enabled paddy farmers in the State to get nearly Rs.1050 a bag of paddy against the then prevailing price of Rs.750 by mounting an agitation and defying the illegal curbs on paddy exports to neighboring States.
The Lok Satta Party, he recalled, has articulated its policy on Telangana unambiguously. The aspirations of Telangana people in a democratic society cannot be ignored. The Lok Satta Party welcomes the formation of Telangana as part of a comprehensive and amicable solution.
Dr. JP said that the by-elections in the State have been imposed by parties which are thirsting for making money by abusing power. There is little difference among the Congress, TDP and YSR Congress in their policies.
Dr. JP said the time has come for people to decide whether they should vote for parties which are bent upon perpetuating corruption for personal gain or those which are committed to ending corruption and provide good governance. The Lok Satta Party is committed to ending corruption, decentralizing power, ensuring justice to farmers, fighting the liquor menace, providing jobs to youth and ensuring equal education and health care opportunities to all.
Dr. JP recalled that it was he who exposed the Vanpic deal in the Assembly. To ward off competitive bidding and lend it respectability, the then Andhra Pradesh Government masqueraded it as a G-to-G (Government to Government) deal. Ras Al Khaimah is just a tiny kingdom with a GDP of a mere $4 billion. The Government allocated nearly 13,000 acres for the Vodarevu and Nizampatnam ports. In contrast, the Singapore port, which handles more cargo than all the Indian ports put together, operates from just 1200 acres. Again, the private group which is associated with Vanpic and other ports on the east coast has got away with 400 km of coastline as its exclusive economic zone, something which is unheard of in world history.
Replying to a question on Lepakshi Knowledge Park, Dr. JP said the Lok Satta Party is not opposed to industrialization. It is however dead set against allocation of natural resources without competitive bidding for the personal gain of a few.
Dr. JP said that the Lok Satta Party would file a PIL in the High Court after its summer seeking grant of autonomy to the Anti Corruption Bureau as suggested by the Supreme Court. That the ACB has now become the pocket organization of the ruling party is evident from the recent reshuffle of top personnel.
Lok Satta Party leaders G. Raja Reddy, Bandaru Ramamohana Rao and Maheswarapu Gattaiah took part in the media conference.
Lok Satta Times May 16th-31st, 2012
Lok Satta Times May 16th-31st, 2012 can be downloaded from the following link
http://www.loksatta.org/cms/documents/lstimes/lstimes-2012-05-16-31.pdf
http://www.loksatta.org/cms/documents/lstimes/lstimes-2012-05-16-31.pdf
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Scrap Vanpic deal, demands Lok Satta
The Lok Satta Party today reiterated its demand that the State Government scrap its deal with Vanpic (Vodarevu and Nizampatnam Port & Industrial Corridor) as it is anchored in corruption and collusion and harmed public interest.
In a media statement, Lok Satta Party General Secretary Katari Srinivasa Rao recalled that Lok Satta Party President and Kukatpally legislator Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan had on March 8, 2011 told the Assembly that the Vanpic deal was another 2-G scam and sought its cancellation.
The State Government allocated thousands of acres of land for a private port company without competitive bidding and without taking the Union Government into confidence and earmarked a huge area as its exclusive zone.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao pointed out that Singapore port which handles 515 million tons of cargo -- equivalent to the cargo handled by all the ports in India is located in 1200 acres -- whereas Vanpic has been allotted thousands of acres. While the waterfront of Visakhapatnam port is 13-15 km and of Mumbai 13 km, Vanpic has been earmarked 92 km.
The Lok Satta leader said that if the State Government does not cancel the agreement and resume lands, the Union Government can step in as ports come under the Concurrent List of the Constitution.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao made it clear that the Lok Satta is not opposed either to ports or private enterprise so long as public resources like land are allocated rationally and transparently.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao also faulted the State Government for its failure to act on disclosure of settlements made by Bhanu, an accused in the Madelacheruvu Suri murder case, in Jalayagnam projects.
Mr Bhanu Kiran confessed that he ensured irrigation contracts were awarded to certain parties by brow-beating competitors and using threat of force. Any contract based on violation of law or coercion or fraud is void in law. Once a notorious criminal confessed to such actions, the Government should cancel the contracts. However, the Government is acting as if it has no responsibility to protect public interest. Such cultivated inaction and criminal neglect to protect public interest is serious dereliction of duty and violation of oath of office.
The Lok Satta Party demanded that immediate action should be taken to cancel all such contracts based on fraud or coercion.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Old wine in new bottle: Lok Satta on new liquor policy proposal
The Lok Satta Party today termed the Government move to grant liquor shop licenses on a lottery basis as "nothing but old wine in new bottle." The lottery system, which was in vogue until 2004, too has the potential for formation of syndicates and all the evils that go with them.
In a letter, Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma requested Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy to convene an all-party meeting for discussing the new liquor policy.
According to media reports, the team which studied the systems prevailing in a number of States suggested that liquor shops be allotted on a lottery basis.
Mr. Varma pointed out it is strange that the team seeks to revive the Chandrababu Naidu Government policy instead of opting for State take-over of retail trade in liquor as in Delhi and Tamil Nadu.
Mr. Varma said that most political parties in the State are in favor of the State Government taking over retail liquor trade and restricting liquor consumption through limiting the number of shops and the days and hours of their working.
Mr. Varma warned the Chief Minister that revival of the Chandrababu policy will neither produce good results nor enhance the Government's image.
In a letter, Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma requested Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy to convene an all-party meeting for discussing the new liquor policy.
According to media reports, the team which studied the systems prevailing in a number of States suggested that liquor shops be allotted on a lottery basis.
Mr. Varma pointed out it is strange that the team seeks to revive the Chandrababu Naidu Government policy instead of opting for State take-over of retail trade in liquor as in Delhi and Tamil Nadu.
Mr. Varma said that most political parties in the State are in favor of the State Government taking over retail liquor trade and restricting liquor consumption through limiting the number of shops and the days and hours of their working.
Mr. Varma warned the Chief Minister that revival of the Chandrababu policy will neither produce good results nor enhance the Government's image.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Lok Satta dissolves Tirupati, Chittoor committees
Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma today dissolved the Tirupati town and Chittoor district committees of the party for persistent acts of indiscipline.
He named an ad hoc committee for Tirupati town with Mr. J. Venkateswarlu as convener and Mr. Siddaiah Naidu and Dr. P. Venugopal as members. An ad hoc committee for Chittoor district will be announced in a day or two.
Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan has given his clearance for the disciplinary action.
In a media statement, Mr. Varma said that top party leaders in the two units had stymied party functioning by resorting to mutual allegations. They had thwarted party headquarters’ attempts at reconciliation under some pretext or the other.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Money-centered politics to blame for Decline in standards: Dr. JP
There is no point in bemoaning falling standards in Parliament when we allow politics to revolve round money and vote buying and facilitate election of criminals and the corrupt to its portals, said Lok Satta President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today.
Greeting people on the diamond jubilee of Parliament, Dr. JP said in a media statement that people should ponder over means of electing educated, erudite and humble representatives to legislatures. The first Parliament of 1952 contributed to healthy discussions because it included a large number of people who fought for freedom, nation building, and formation of constitutional bodies. How could people of integrity get elected to the legislature these days when two or three parties spend a total of about Rs.30 crore for a by-election to the Assembly, asked Dr. JP.
Dr. JP said that although the first generation national leaders were great, they did not pay enough attention to structural flaws in out elected system. For instance, they centralized power and as a result people had to depend on those in power or pay bribes for getting even a small thing done.
With no independent source of income and elections becoming costly, those elected to legislatures have turned politics into business and started making money through tenders and contracts, allotment of land and award of mining leases.
Dr. JP said that such a vicious circle could be broken only if the money-centered administrative and electoral systems are thoroughly overhauled.
He said there is no cause for despair. Despite falling standards in general, the debate on the 2012-13 Union Budget witnessed Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and BJP leader Yaswant Sinha elevating the discussion to a higher plane and criticizing each other with mutual respect.
Dr. JP said that the present first-past-the-post electoral system is resulting in unbridled purchase of votes and grant of party tickets to corrupt and criminal elements. A switch-over to a proportional system of representation, decentralization of power and introduction of citizens' charters would free politics from corruption.
Dr. JP said tat there are people of integrity and competence in all spheres and regions. We should try to draw the best and the brightest of them into politics so that the nation stands to gain.
Dr. JP visiting Pattipadu on Sunday
Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan will be campaigning on behalf of party candidate Mrs. Jonnalagadda Jaya Bhagyam in the by-election to the Assembly from Pattipadu constituency in Guntur district on Sunday, May 13.
Mrs. Jaya Bhagyam is a 57-year-old Dalit agricultural laborer from Pedagottipadu village.
Mrs. Jaya Bhagyam was instrumental in getting the license of a liquor shop in the village's dalitwada cancelled by launching a movement for a year and half with Lok Satta Party support. In the process, she went on fast, courted jail and suffered lathi blows.
In 2007, Lok Satta workers led by Dr. JP launched a three-day, 70-km padayatra from Pedagottipadu to Guntur on the liquor issue.
Dr. JP will take part in the inauguration of Ayush Hospital in Vijayawada in the morning and a meeting of party workers in Guntur at 3-00 p.m.
Dr. JP will launch the election campaign at Pedagottipadu, Pattipadu and Pedanandipadu from 5-00 p.m. on wards.
Liquor policy
The Lok Satta Party today demanded that the Government convene an all-party meeting as promised by the Chief Minister to discuss the new liquor policy.
In a media statement, party General Secretary Katari Srinivasa Rao took exception to Excise Minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana talking of three or four alternatives to the present excise policy. He wondered whether the Government was ushering in a policy to benefit liquor dealers and politicians.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that the Government should take over retail distribution and restrict liquor consumption considering that the present policy played havoc with the lives of the poor.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Dr. JP Visiting Vizag on 11th
Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan will be taking part in an all-party meeting on the VUDA land scam in Visakhapatnam on Friday, May 11.
During his day-long visit, Dr. JP will be interacting with party workers and volunteers.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Lok Satta for Respecting Telangana People’s Aspirations: Dr. JP
Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today counseled party leaders from Telangana to make it clear to people that the party is in favor of a Telangana State emerging as part of a comprehensive and amicable solution and that it alone has clear-cut policies for the region’s all-round development. He added that people’s aspirations cannot be ignored for long in a democracy.
Addressing senior party leaders from 10 Telangana districts at the party headquarters, Dr. JP advised them to strengthen the party and enlighten people on the party’s agenda for Telangana development. The party agenda includes eradication of corruption, decentralization of power, making farming remunerative, restricting liquor consumption, integrated water resources utilization and development of small towns.
Dr. JP announced the constitution of a nine-member committee headed by party General Secretary G. Raja Reddy to enlighten people on the party’s agenda. Its other members are Mr. M. Satyanarayana, Mrs. K. Gita Murthy, Mr. Thummanapalli Srinivasa Rao, Mr. Lenkala Raja Reddy, Mr. Enugu Rama Rao, Mr. Dosapati Ramu, Mr. Pagadala Venkateswara Rao, and Kadiam Srinivasa Reddy.
Dr. JP asked the committee members to tour Telangana districts extensively without losing time to strengthen the party. Since the party has already decided to contest from Parakala in the by-election to the Assembly, it should utilize the opportunity to spread its agenda.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Sarva Jana Satta to Mobilize Downtrodden Sections
The Sarva Jana Satta, a Lok Satta Party affiliate, today decided to mobilize all downtrodden sections in favor of the Lok Satta Party in the June 12 by-elections to the State Assembly.
The Lok Satta Party has so far decided to field candidates in Ongole, Pattipadu, Rayadurgam and Yemminaganur seats.
The Sarva Jana Satta took the decision at a meeting of its State Executive in Hyderabad today.
Mr. Edda Chennayya, President, Mr. C. Vinod Kumar, General Secretary, Mr. P. V. Rao, Vice President and Mr. Hanumantha Rao, Treasurer, took part in the meeting.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Dr. JP to Campaign for Dr. Ashwin Mahesh
During a day-long visit to Bengaluru on Saturday, May 5, Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan will be campaigning for Dr. Ashwin Mahesh, who is contesting from Bangalore graduates’ constituency to the Karnataka Legislative Council.
The highlight of the visit is a public meeting in the evening at which Dr. JP will dwell on the question whether a single legislator can a make difference to polity. Taking part in the meeting are three non-Lok Satta people – Prof. Rajeev Gowda of Indian Institute of Management, Prof. Sandeep Shastri of Lokniti Foundation and journalist Vasanthi Hariprakash.
Dr. JP will be interacting with Lok Satta members, the campaign team and some prominent people of the city during the day.
Dr. Ashwin Mahesh, who holds a Ph. D. in Geophysics, has worked on urban development issues and is associated with a number of prestigious institutes in Bengaluru. He has played an active role in the movement for electoral reforms and against corruption.
Talking of Dr. Ashwin Mahesh, Justice Santosh Hegde, former Lokayukta of Karnataka says, “Whenever I spoke against corruption in public life, people asked me ‘where are the good candidates we can vote for?’. This time I have an answer for you. I will vote for Ashwin Mahesh and I urge you to do so as well.”
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Lok Satta joining hands with Left to Unveil corruption-free politics
The Lok Satta Party has decided to join hands with Left parties since there is no point in replacing one traditional party with another since all of them are steeped in corruption and lost their capacity to address people’s problems, said Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma in a media statement here today.
Mr. Varma hoped that the Lok Satta decision would serve as a ray of hope to all people who are now in deep despair over the present state of politics. It is time that all people who aspire for eradication of corruption and resolution of burning problems joined hands, he added.
Mr. Varma pointed out that Left parties are divided on the Telangana issue while the Lok Satta has its own stand. It is also true there are differences of opinion between the Lok Satta and Left parties on many other issues. Yet, the Lok Satta believes it can work together with Left parties on public issues over which they shared a common view. Instead of confining itself to adjustments during elections for seats and votes, the Lok Satta will continue to work with like-minded parties on ushering in corruption-free politics and resolving people’s problems, Mr. Varma added.
Mr. Varma said that the Lok Satta Party has decided to support CPI(M) candidates in Tirupati and Anantapur as the CPI(M) has decided to back the Lok Satta Party in Ongole by dropping plans to contest from it in the by-elections to the State Assembly on June 12.
The decision was taken by the Lok Satta Party's State Working Committee here today, said Mr. Varma.
As a result of the electoral adjustments, the CPI (M) will support the Lok Satta Party in Ongole, Pattipadu, Rayadurgam and Yemmiganur Assembly constituencies.
The Lok Satta Party in turn will support CPM candidates in Tirupati, Anantapur, Payakaraopet, Udayagiri and Polavaram Assembly constituencies and Nellore Lok Satta constituency.
The Lok Satta Party would consider contesting from Ramachandrapuram and Parakala in the wake of its decision not to field candidates in Tirupati and Anantapur.
Mr. Varma appealed to the CPI to back Lok Satta candidates in the by-elections, adding that the Lok Satta would support it if it fielded candidates.
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