Press Releases Archive

Revolt against distribution of money And liquor: Dr. JP

Lok Satta President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today asked the Congress and the TDP whether they were not ashamed of trying to win GHMC elections with liquor and money and in the process burying democracy.

Addressing the media, he called upon voters not to remain silent but revolt against the abhorrent practices of the traditional parties. They should realize that their living conditions in the city would depend on the quality of candidates they elected. The traditional parties have fielded a number of land grabbers and goondas as their candidates and are now trying to get them elected by luring the voters with money and liquor.

Dr. JP appealed to voters to exercise their franchise, without availing themselves the two-day weekend and the polling day holiday to go to their native places. “Any amount of griping after the elections in which they don’t take part and opt to elect candidates of integrity will not help them.”

Dr. JP once again said that providing voting rights to some 63 ex-officio members like MPs, MLAs and MLCs in the election of the GHMC Mayor and Deputy Mayor was blatantly unconstitutional. They cannot even attend meetings of municipal corporations in Mumbai and other cities, leave alone enjoying voting rights. In the Chennai municipal corporation and in corporations in Haryana, MPs and legislators can take part in meetings but do not have voting rights. In contrast, Karnataka shares the dubious distinction with Andhra Pradesh in providing voting rights to MPs and legislators.

Dr. JP welcomed the State Government’s decision to seek a CBI inquiry into iron ore mining by the Obulapuram Mining Company. It was in fact the Lok Satta which had first demanded such a probe to unravel the facts.

Mr. V. Laxman Balaji and Mr. Bhisetty Babji disclosed that both the TDP and the Congress had been hiring function halls under the pretext of celebrating a birthday or some other event and distributing money and liquor. They said they had received reports of such distribution from Karmanghat, Charlapalli, Kushaiguda, Uppal and Borabanda.

The Lok Satta Party would be complaining to the State Election Commission about corrupt electoral practices in a day or two after collecting more details.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 17:12

Hyderabad belongs to all Of its residents: Dr. JP

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan accused the TDP of resorting to gimmicks to hoodwink the electorate in the GHMC elections. “What have the GHMC elections to do with control of prices or declaration of a holiday for repayment of loans,” Dr. JP asked at a media conference. The TDP apparently believed that it could take the people for a ride since they are ignorant.

Dr. JP lambasted the TDP for offering protection to settlers in Hyderabad city by asserting there are no settlers in Hyderabad but only residents. People from all parts of the country have migrated and settled down here for decades since every citizen in this country has a right to live and work anywhere in the country as per the Constitution.

When Andhra Pradesh came into existence in 1956, the city’s population was about 500,000. Today, it is about nine million. “Hyderabad belongs to all of us. Let us build Hyderabad as a microcosm of the country, mirroring the composition of its people.”

Dr. JP did not spare the Congress either and wondered what the Congress meant by promising to develop Hyderabad as a global city. He also took exception to the Congress leaders’ propaganda that the corporation would get funds only if the ruling party was elected to power in the GHMC. Whichever party happened to be in power, the GHMC is entitled to get its share of funds.

Dr. JP said that the Lok Satta Party’s manifesto is unique in that it is the only party which has promised devolution of responsibilities, powers and resources on elected ward committees. “Without such people’s empowerment, their problems could not be resolved even if Dr. Manmohan Singh were to become the Mayor of Hyderabad.”

Dr. JP recalled Article 243 (S) of the Constitution provided for constitution of ward committees. Although the State also enacted a law providing for ward committees’ as a condition to avail of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission funds, it has not formed them. Neither the Congress nor the TDP believed in parting with real powers to people.

Dr. JP said that some parties’ promise to allocate tax revenue from every ward for works only in that ward was irrational since wards in which poor people live would be deprived of developmental works. That’s why the Lok Satta has proposed allocation of a per capita grant of Rs.1000 to each ward based upon its population.

Dr. JP unveiled plans to bring all the authorities – the HMDA, Metrtopolitan Water and Sewerage Board, Airport Authority, Quli Kutbshahi Authority, Buddha Poornima Authority and Transport Authority – under the umbrella of the GHMC.

The Lok Satta President said his party was committed to saving the city from land grabbers and goondas. It would save the city from the menace of mosquitoes, stray dogs and pigs. It would focus on solving traffic, transport and parking problems. It would provide training and livelihood and employment opportunities to the youth.

The Lok Satta, he said, would resolve people’s problems in a time-bound manner. The citizen would be compensated at the rate of Rs.100 per day for delay in service delivery.

Dr. JP disclosed that the State Election Commission has conceded his party’s request to relax the rule concerning appointment of polling agents. A polling agent need not necessarily be a voter in the same polling booth now, according to the relaxed rule.

Monday, November 16, 2009 - 17:21

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