Lok Satta condemns auctions for panchayat posts

Cornering sarpanch and ward member posts in an auction is nothing but a mockery of the electoral process and democracy, commented State Lok Satta Party state President Katari Srinivasa Rao here today.

Leaders should come to power by winning the hearts and minds of people and not by deploying money power, said Mr. Srinivasa Rao.

The Lok Satta President referred to media reports of panchayat posts being auctioned in districts like West Godavari and Karimnagar and appealed to all democrats to condemn the reprehensible practice.

He said the Lok Satta Party will field candidates at places where it has some strength to thwart such rigged unanimous elections. At other places, it will support candidates who oppose such auctions.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao wondered why the Government has so far remained silent on the unhealthy development and asked the State Election Commission to address it. It can declare bagging posts through the auction mode as a corrupt practice and invalidate the elections so conducted.