Press Releases Archive

Stop trotting out lame excuses and hold Civic body elections: Lok Satta

Postponement of elections to municipalities and municipal corporations is unconstitutional and unwarranted, the Lok Satta Party told the State Government today and demanded that it arrange elections before September- end when they are due.

In a letter to Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma said postponement of elections on the pretext of undertaking BC’s enumeration for reservation purposes would not wash. Governments in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, and West Bengal had entrusted the Election Commission with the responsibility of finalizing reservations and delimitation of wards. In contrast, the Andhra Pradesh Government retained those powers to defer elections for short-term political gain whenever the need arises. “Deferring elections and foisting official rule runs counter to democracy, and the Constitution.”

Mr. Varma revealed that the Government had deliberately refrained from spending Rs.4000 crore on works in municipalities with an eye on spending it on the eve of elections to reap political mileage for the ruling party.

Mr. Varma also demanded that the Government restore the ideal, demoractic practice of direct election of municipal chairpersons and mayors prevalent prior to 2005. Indirect elections result in horse-trading, defections, and unlimited corruption later on. He suggested that the State Government take the initiative to reserve 50 percent of the seats in civic bodies to women, as contemplated by the Union Government.

Mr. Varma said that the State Government was lax in transferring powers, resources, and personnel to civic bodies, and in formation of ward committees as per the law enacted two years ago. He wanted the Government to decentralize administration by forming ward committees and empowering them.

Mr. Varma told the Chief Minister that the Lok Satta proposals are in accordance with the proposed amendments to the Constitution and the recommendations of the second Administrative Reforms Commission.

Mr. Varma disclosed that the response to the Lok Satta call for people’s sit-in at municipal offices seeking elections on time evoked response beyond the party’s expectations. According to information received until 4-00 p.m., the dharna took place at 62 municipal offices, including corporations.

Lok Satta President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan took part in the dharna at Ongole. Zonal in-charge leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao took part in the dharna at Ongole, G. Raja Reddy at Nizamabad, P. Ravi Maruth at Khammam, Bandaru Ramamohana Rao at Zaheerabad and Y. D. Rama Rao at Kakinada. State leaders V. Laxman Balaji, V. Vijeynder Reddy, and Mahila Satta and Yuva Statta leaders took part in the dharnas at different places.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010 - 16:46

Celebrate Telangana Liberation Day, Demands Lok Satta

The Lok Satta Party today demanded that the Government celebrate Telangana Liberation Day officially on September 17 since integration of Telangana with the Indian Union was a continuation of the country’s freedom movement.

Addressing a media conference, party leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao and Eeda Chennaiah recalled that both Maharashtra and Karnataka celebrate September 17 as Liberation Day in the districts which were under Nizam’s rule earlier and became part of those States following the States’ reorganization. “None should ignore that September 17 was the day when the country was really united.”

September 17 should be an occasion to introspect to what extent the present day leaders sought to realize the dreams of those who fought for the Nizam State’s liberation and union with India. “We don’t know what happened to the children of Sardar Patel who integrated the princely States with the Indian Union. We do not know the inheritors of K. M. Munshi and Vellodi who served as Governors of the Hyderabad State. The children of Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, the first Chief Minister of Hyderabad, did not live off their father’s reputation. Even the children of Mahatma never ran after office. Raj Mohan Gandhi became an MP in his own right and not as a Mahatma Gandhi scion. In contrast, present day politicians viewed politics as a means to enrich themselves and further the growth of their children and grandchildren and not to serve the public. It is such politicians who are mortgaging the country’s freedom and not left wing extremists or terrorists. The Telangana Liberation Day should inspire every one to work for uprooting the politics of loot and plunder and dynastic rule and ushering in people-oriented politics.”

The party leaders announced that Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan would take part in a sit-in at the municipal office in Ongole as part of the party’s program to organize demonstrations at all municipal offices on August 25 demanding elections to urban civic bodies on time. The party’s demands include direct election to the positions of municipal chairpersons and Mayors, elected ward governments, and corruption-free rule.

Monday, August 23, 2010 - 16:39

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