Lok Satta Refutes CPI Charge

The Lok Satta Party today refuted CPI MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao's charge that it goes to Government's rescue whenever it is in trouble by deflecting the subject under discussion. The allegation mirrors his bankruptcy of ideas and politics, said Lok Satta Party General Secretary Katari Srinivasa Rao in a media statement.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the Lok Satta is a principled party whereas the Communist parties are opportunistic. They chose to have a piggy ride on the Congress and the TDP to win a few seats in elections instead of trying to build a third front. They had enabled the Congress and the TDP to entrench themselves deeply and turn the State into the epicenter of corruption. Even during the current discussion on corruption in the Assembly, the CPI legislator is equivocal. In contrast, the Lok Satta has demanded that the guilty to whichever party they belong should be punished and a strong and independent Lokayukta be constituted to prevent corruption.

Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, Lok Satta's lone representative in the Assembly, who has been addressing every issue keeping public interest in mind, does not need anybody's certificate, said Mr. Srinivasa Rao.

The Lok Satta Party drafted a Bill to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act as early as in 2009 and circulated it among all parties. The Congress and the TDP which claim to be wedded to eradicating corruption are today feigning ignorance of the Bill. The Bill provides for constitution of special courts, independent prosecution, and exemplary punishment including forfeiture of ill-gotten property of the corrupt.

If the CPI is sincere, it should stop indulging in rhetoric and join the Lok Satta in getting the Bill discussed and passed by the Assembly, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said.