Dr. JP asks Chandrababu Naidu to Apologize for false propaganda

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today asked TDP President and Leader of the Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu “to apologize publicly for the false and malicious propaganda unleashed by him against the Lok Satta Party.”

In a letter, Dr. JP told Mr. Chandrababu Naidu: “If however, if you continue to act in a hostile and malicious manner, and hurl false accusations against the Lok Satta Party, we will be compelled to seek legal recourse to protect our good name, credibility and image. I hope you will act with dignity, responsibility and respect for truth that is expected of a senior leader like you.”

Dr. JP recalled that in his July 7, 2009 letter to Mr. Chandrababu Naidu he had proposed a format for reasoned public debate on the repeated false accusations hurled by him, his party spokespersons and functionaries about the public morality of the Lok Satta Party and its funds and their utilization. That was after Mr. Chandrababu Naidu had expressed readiness to debate the issue with Dr. JP.

“Sadly, you have chosen not respond to it so far. However, your party functionaries have been continuing a malicious tirade against the Lok Satta Party in the hope that the Goebbelsian false propaganda will somehow stick in people’s mind by sheer repetition.”

Dr. JP also recalled that in a July 27, 2009 letter to Mr. P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, the Deputy Leader of TDLP, he had sought Mr. Chandrababu Naidu’s leadership in the fight against corruption in public life.

“I specifically sought your leadership in building a consensus on the draft Bill – The Prevention of Corruption (Andhra Pradesh) Amendment Act, 2009 proposed by the Lok Satta Party, and in piloting the Bill in the State Legislature. Despite your party’s unreasonable and persistently hostile and malicious stand against the Lok Satta Party, we have given the pride of place to the Leader of Opposition in the draft Bill. Sadly, once again the response of your party and you on this vital issue of curbing corruption is deafening silence.”

Dr. JP said in his letter: “I understand that your official spokesperson has once again made malicious, false and reckless allegations against Lok Satta Party’s integrity and against me personally. Such persistent, irresponsible and malicious actions do not in any way constitute decent politics. It is reprehensible for a major political party to indulge in such falsehoods. Such irresponsible behavior only deflects public attention from vital issues of public policy and divides the Opposition which should stand together in the fight against corruption. In civilized and mature politics, debate must be based on facts and logic. In decent politics, differences should be on policies and on the vision for a society.

“Unfortunately the unrestrained resort to falsehood, invective personal abuse by your party is undermining the credibility and legitimacy of the political process.”

Dr. JP said in his letter, “Even at this stage, I earnestly appeal to you to stop the reckless, immoral, malicious mudslinging against Lok Satta Party, support and lead the effort to enact the law proposed by the Lok Satta to fight corruption in public life, and participate in a reasoned public debate to establish the truth about the finances and public morality of the Telugu Desam Party and the Lok Satta Party.”