Dr. JP calls for re-alignment of political forces in AP

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today called for a re-alignment of political forces in the State in the wake of the collapse of both the ruling Congress and the Opposition TDP.

Addressing a media conference on the results of the by-elections to one Lok Sabha and 18 Assembly seats, Dr. JP said that the Lok Satta Party in association with Left parties would work out an agenda for restoring ethical politics in the State. The politics of both the Congress and the TDP have revolved round abusing power and making money. In the process, they have centralized power, made legislators uncrowned kings and succeeded in casting a spell on people by offering them temporary sops instead of making them self-reliant.

Dr. JP said the Congress and the TDP fought the by-elections without an agenda and spent crores of rupees to woo voters. Andhra Pradesh has earned notoriety for setting benchmarks in gargantuan election expenditure. While the two parties focused on Mr. Y S. Jaganmohan Reddy's corruption, the YSR Congress talked about the injustice meted out to the YSR family. The talk on corruption did not click because people felt all traditional parties are corrupt.

Dr. JP said that political parties without a credible agenda, leaders who command the love, affection and trust of followers and confidence of victory in elections are bound to collapse. It is against such a backdrop that the YSR Party profited from the anti-establishment vote in Andhra Pradesh.

Dr. JP said that the re-alignment of political forces should take place on an agenda which focuses on eradication of corruption, decentralization of power, ensuring quality health care and education to all, providing employment opportunities, rendering justice to the farmer and restricting liquor consumption. There are sincere and honest people in all traditional parties. They should join hands to usher in new politics in the State, said Dr. JP.

Politics of the past has focused on short-term benefits to voters without lifting them out of poverty. Politics of the future should be based on the resolve to enhance incomes and opportunities through education and level playing field.

Dr. JP congratulated all the winners in the by-elections saying that the people's verdict in a democracy should be respected.

In reply to a question, Dr. JP said that those who cannot spend money in elections are doomed to lose. It does not however mean that those who spend more than others are certain to succeed. The ability to spend money has, however, become an entry barrier in the elections.

Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma and General Secretary Katari Srinivasa Rao took part in the media conference.