Press Releases Archive

Why are the Congress and the TDP candidates spending up to Rs. two crore each to get elected as a corporator in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation?

Posing this question, Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today pointed out that a corporator who gets a monthly salary of Rs.3000 will have to toil for 600 years merely to recoup the investment in elections, without taking the cost of interest into account.

Addressing election meetings in Malakpet area, Dr. JP said that the traditional party contestants are not fools to throw away precious money down the Musi merely to get elected as corporators. They are looking forward to making many times their investment in the business of politics through umpteen ways ranging from collecting commissions from contractors and land grabbers to facilitating land dispute settlements and postings and transfers of officials.

“The two political wolves are fighting for the right to eat the humble lamb, the voter.

“Make no mistake; the two parties would not even think of transferring resources and powers to local governments as envisaged by Article 243 of the Constitution. In pursuance of the Constitutional provision, the Government of India inserted a conditionality for making available funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). The condition is that the State Governments should empower local Governments by transferring resources and responsibilities to be eligible for funds under the JNNURM. Although the State Government adopted a law as early as in 2008 to empower local governments, it had not implemented it since it would deprive the rulers of the advantages of centralized power. Which politician in the State would like to forgo the opportunity of making money by empowering local governments? It would be tantamount to committing hara-kiri.

The Lok Satta President said there are two kinds of politics in vogue today. The traditional parties believe in luring voters with money, liquor and biryani or by offering short-term inducements like television sets and cash transfers or make political mileage by dividing them on the basis of religion and caste, language and region. They don’t believe in empowering people with provision of quality healthcare and education and opportunities for livelihood.

In contrast to them, the Lok Satta believes in the innate wisdom of the voters who are self-respecting and love their children and families. The party believes if power is given to them they will transform society.

Dr. JP said, “There is no magic wand which can transform society and improve people’s lives. Even if Mahatma Gandhi were to be reborn, he too would fail unless people are empowered as envisaged by him decades ago.”

By repeatedly saying that Lok Satta policies and programs are not practicable, TDP President N. Chandrababu Naidu is making it plain that he is interested in continuing the politics of loot and plunder, charged the Lok Satta Party here today.

“Apparently, he believes that change in people’s lives is neither warranted nor feasible,” said Lok Satta leaders Y. D. Rama Ro, Bhisetty Babji, V. Laxman Balaji and Eeda Chennayya at a media conference.

The Lok Satta posed a string of ten stinging questions to Mr. Chandrababu Naidu:

1. The Lok Satta Party has not fielded any candidate with criminal background. Does Babu believe that politics has place only for criminals?

2. The Lok Satta does not lure voters with money and liquor or other inducements. Does Babu believe he cannot win votes without offering them?

3. The Lok Satta has proposed ward governments to devolve powers and resources on them. Does Babu believe that it is impossible?

4. The Lok Satta does not polarize society on the basis of caste and religion, language and region and believes that every Indian is entitled to live and work here. Does Babu continue to work for the State’s breakup on the one hand and talk of protection to settlers on the other?

5. The Lok Satta accounts for every rupee it receives and spends. Does Babu think it is impossible to fight elections without tapping black money?

6. The Lok Satta holds its meetings without hiring people at huge expense in terms of money, liquor, food and transport. Does Babu believe that millions of rupees have to be spent to conduct meetings?

7. The Lok Satta explains its policies without resorting to character assassination. Does Babu believe that there cannot be a discourse without slinging mud at others?

8. The Lok Satta has come up with a Bill to curb corruption by creating autonomous mechanisms and special courts to punish the guilty. Does Babu believe that corruption cannot be eradicated since it hurts politicians?

9. The Lok Satta does not believe in dynastic politics. Does Babu believe that politics should be the preserve of certain families?

10. The Lok Satta believes in provision of quality education, healthcare and job-oriented skills to everybody. Does Babu believe in keeping people as perpetual beggars by doling them out TVs and cash transfers?

The Lok Satta leaders maintained that a vote to either the TDP or the Congress would be a wasted vote since both of them are committed to perpetuating politics of loot. They appealed to voters to exercise their franchise and elect good candidates since their future is at stake.