Dr. JP challenges party leaders For an open debate on TV Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today challenged Chief Minister Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu and PRP President Chiranjeevi to join him in a series of open live debates over television channels on their agenda for the public. Pointing out that in no other State there are so many TV channels as in Andhra Pradesh, Dr. JP said the open debates would show who among them have an agenda for the people and the integrity, competence and determination to live up to people’s expectations.

Addressing a media meet on the occasion of a number of leaders and their followers from Borabanda bastis (slums) and Muslims from King Kothi joining the Lok Satta Party, Dr. JP referred to incidents of candidates denied party ticket attacking leaders and torching and vandalizing offices and said they merely highlighted to what extent traditional parties have turned politics into a cesspool. “Power has become the center of our being” because it provided the means for personal aggrandizement and enrichment and not for public service. “They seem to believe that it is more honorable to die than to remain ‘powerless””

Expressing happiness over the poor embracing the Lok Satta, Dr, JP said the Lok Satta’s philosophy centered round the poor. “No one can be happy if a majority of people continue to languish in poverty and destitution.” Poverty could be eradicated only when every child irrespective of its caste and religion is provided quality education, health care, skills and employment opportunities. Referring to 11 lakh young people contesting for 846 Group IV posts in Andhra Pradesh, Dr. JP asked whether the Government could control them if they take to the streets. Politics should be viewed as a means to go to such people’s help.

On the oft-heard charge that he is pursuing impractical politics, Dr. JP pointed out that even a thousand-mile journey begins with the first step. The Lok Satta has taken the lead to transform politics but it alone cannot do it unless people of integrity and leadership qualities, who now remain quiet, share the burden of leadership. Dr. JP asked the media to boost and not undermine people’s confidence in the power of the ballot to transform society. Commenting on seizure of cash by officials, Dr. JP said that the money seized throughout the State in the recent past did not equal the amount to be spent by a single candidate in one constituency. He said, “Don’t think that a few officials or courts can transform society. You can do it without shedding a drop of blood by exercising your vote.” Sardar Patel could integrate 500 princely states in 250 days without a bullet being fired because he was a leader of impeccable integrity and commitment.

Replying to a question, Dr. JP asked why the traditional parties, which had vied with each other in hijacking Lok Satta’s agitation against belt shops, kept their mouths shut when wine dealers have offered to close down shops during elections. Chief Minister Rajasekhara Reddy is said to be a man who keeps his word. But he did not fulfill his promise to shut down belt shops for obvious reasons. But the Election Commission could do it underlining that if the Government had the will, it could have done so. “The people now need to elect a party which will control liquor and wipe the tears from the eyes of millions of long-suffering women and children.”