Dr. JP requests KCR to drop Fast-unto-death move

Lok Satta President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan has “respectfully” requested TRS President K. Chandrasekhara Rao to drop his plan for a fast unto death seeking formation of a Telangana State since the Lok Satta firmly believes that such fasts have no place in a constitutional democracy.

“Problems in a democracy should be resolved through recourse to elections and rational and healthy public discourse devoid of hatred.”

In a letter addressed to Mr. Etela Rajender, TRS Legislature Party leader, Dr. JP said, “You are entitled to launch any movement to accomplish the political goals you believe in so long as it is democratic and peaceful and aims at enlightening people without triggering tensions and disrupting harmony among them.”

Dr. JP in his response to Mr. Rajender’s letter seeking Lok Satta’s support for KCR’s fast pointed out there are no grounds to believe that formation of a separate Telangana State alone would be a panacea for the region’s problems. A real solution to all political and administrative problems lies in providing equal growth and livelihood opportunities to all without any discrimination and direct empowerment of people with devolution of resources and responsibilities.

On the issue of free one raised by Mr. Rajender, Dr. JP said that the Lok Satta believed there is no free zone issue at all. The recent Supreme Court judgment is in accordance with the Presidential Order of 1975, the six-point formula and the 32nd amendment to the Constitution. The Supreme Court merely upheld the practices followed between 1975 and 2001. Since the Supreme Court verdict did not create any new problem, making a mountain out of a mole hill is not warranted. The need of the hour is implementation of the Presidential Order of 1975, the six-point formula and G. O. No. 610 in both letter and spirit. The successive Governments’ failure to sincerely implement them has caused all the problems. Using the Supreme Court verdict as a pretext to undo the 1975 Presidential Order will go against public interest.

Dr. JP appealed to Mr. Rajender to ensure that his party carries its message to the people democratically and without sparking tensions and hatred.