KCR has no right to question Dr. JP’s credentials: Katari

The Loksatta Party today challenged the TRS for a debate on which party has rendered greater service to Hyderabad.

Addressing a media conference, State Loksatta Party President Katari Srinivasa Rao said that Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan had launched the Loksatta movement long before Mr. K. Chandrasekhara Rao founded the TRS and has been fighting for people-centered politics. As legislator representing Kukatpally, Dr. JP has been responsible for implementation of development works worth a record Rs.1550 crore in the last five years. KCR is pursuing atrocious politics by asking why Dr. JP should contest from Malkajgiri to the Lok Sabha.

Katari challenged KCR to explain what he has done for his constituency or Hyderabad or for Telangana in the last five years as a Member of Parliament. Dr. JP has enabled Telangana farmers to get a higher price for their produce by getting curbs on inter-State trade lifted and exports to other countries permitted. In contrast, KCR has not raised his voice in Parliament even once on any issue the Telangana people faced.

Katari explained that Dr. JP has chosen to contest from Malkajgiri to spread the democratic revolution he initiated in Kukatpally by earning people’s mandate without resort to distribution of money or liquor. AAP achieved such a change in Delhi where the per capita income is high. Since the per capita income in Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency is high and since Kukatpally forms part of it, Dr. JP chose to contest from it. Besides strengthening new politics, Dr. JP plans to strive for improving infrastructure in Hyderabad at a cost of Rs.7000 crore and ensure that the Government of India fulfils all the promises it made on the eve of the State’s bifurcation. In contrast, KCR is fuelling hatred with an eye on his family coming into power.

Katari accused KCR of adopting double standards in maintaining that the so-called settlers can live in Hyderabad but have no right for representation in legislative bodies. Every Indian has the right to live and work and contest elections from anywhere. That was why a Bengali, Harindranath Chattopadhyay, was elected to Parliament from Vijayawada, P. V. Narasimha Rao from Nandyal and Mrs Indira Gandhi from Medak. KCR is harming the interests of Hyderabad and Telangana people by questioning Dr. JP’s credentials to contest from Malkajgiri even as he claims to develop Hyderabad into a world-class city. Haunted perhaps by the fear of a setback to his party in elections, KCR is trying to garner votes by stoking hatred among people.

Katari also took serious exception to sociologist Kancha Ilaiah faulting sections of media for giving publicity to Dr. JP who in his opinion did little for minorities and Dalits. Mr. Ilaiah should say which party other than the Loksatta could contest elections without resort to use of black money and liquor. Public interest should be the touchstone for both media and politics. If media does not give importance to Dr. JP who in his 34 years of public life has done yeoman service to the country by facilitating a number of basic reforms it will be committing a mistake. Mr. Ilaiah should appreciate that it is the Loksatta which has made quality education, a key ingredient for the development of minorities and Dalits-- the center point of its politics. Dr. JP has got 74 additional classrooms constructed and striven for implementation of the SC and ST plan in Kukatpally constituency. Right since its inception, the Loksatta has been fighting for equal growth opportunities to all.

Katari said it is regrettable that Mr. Ilaiah tried to besmirch the Loksatta even as he pledges support to a party that seeks to perpetuate politics of dynasty, corruption and poverty.

Mr. Siramani Naresh of the party’s manifesto committee took part in the media conference.