Jagan's arrest merely mirrors the crisis in AP: Dr. JP

The arrest of Mr. Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy, President of the YSR Congress Party and Member of Parliament, merely exemplifies the rotten state of politics in Andhra Pradesh, said Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today.

Gloating over his arrest by the CBI or accusing the CBI of vindictive action are both uncalled for, said Dr. JP and added that all traditional parties in the State have been guilty of abusing power and indulging in corruption and transforming politics into business. That is why the Lok Satta long ago described Andhra Pradesh as the epicenter of corruption in the country.

Against such a backdrop, pointing the accusing the finger only at Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy is nothing short of deceiving people. In the by-election to the Ongole Assembly seat the three traditional parties are said to be spending not less than Rs.20 crore each. Why would anybody spend so much to get elected as an MLA who earns a monthly salary of Rs.5000 excluding allowances?

Dr. JP said that Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy had attracted widespread attention because he indulged in white money corruption in that he received kickbacks for the favors done by his Chief Minister father by way of cheques.

Addressing a media conference, Dr. JP said that all traditional parties in India have blurred the distinction between vote and law. In a monarchy, what a king says is law but in a democracy everyone is subject to law. That is why although highly popular, leaders like Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav and Miss Jayalalitha resigned as Chief Ministers when they faced criminal charges.

It is time that all parties, media, NGOs and educated people pondered how to reverse the decline and fall in Andhra Pradesh politics. They should introspect how a State ruled by men of impeccable integrity and sacrifice like Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu and Neelam Sanjiva Reddy had witnessed a precipitous fall in political standards and morality.

He recalled that B. R. Ambedkar himself had bemoaned the decline in political standards when he said that "we built a wonderful temple – the Constitution- with great love and passion but before we could install Gods, devils stepped in."

Dr. JP announced that the Lok Satta Party would fight for making the ACB and the CB CID in Andhra Pradesh autonomous by filing public interest litigation in the High Court. In consultation with Left parties and civic organizations, the Lok Satta would launch a movement from August 9 to December 9 to educate and enlighten the public and enlist their cooperation in building institutions for eliminating corruption in public life. After all, there are good people in all parties including the Congress, TDP and YSR Congress.

Dr. JP appealed to people belonging to all sections to maintain peace and act with restraint and desist from indulging in mutual accusations and acts of provocation. They should respect the verdict of courts which are known for their independence, impartiality and objectivity.

Lok Satta Leaders V. Laxman Balaji, Bandaru Ramamohan Rao and P. Bhaskara Rao took part in the media conference.