Press Releases Archive

The Lok Satta Party today faulted both the Congress and the BJP for not attempting to insulate the country from the global economic recession by utilizing its abundant human resources.

Commenting on the New Delhi and Nagpur election conclaves of the Congress and the BJP, party General Secretary Katari Srinivasa Rao and Secretary Ravi Maruth pointed out that both parties’ single-point agenda seemed to be getting into power at any cost. While the Congress focused its attention on perpetuating subsidies and dynastic rule, the BJP revived the ‘Ram mantra’ to reap electoral advantage.

The Lok Satta said that the BJP had not learnt any lessons from the setback it suffered in the December 2009 elections to five State Assemblies, despite its attempt to exploit religion and extremism. It was unbecoming for a national party like the BJP to embrace a divisive agenda for short-term political gain. The Congress, which had invited even district and samithi-level party leaders to its Delhi conclave, did not unveil any new initiatives. APCC President D. Srinivas let the cat out of the bag when he rhetorically asked, “What is wrong in issuing party ticket to children of leaders to contest elections?”

Mr. Srinivasa Rao and Mr. Ravi Maruth pointed out that the growing corruption, communal hatred and the collapse of the rural economy could be attributed to the failed UPA and NDA Government policies. “The future of 50,000 of the 60,000 children born in India every day is decided the moment they are born, based on the family or caste in which they are born. It is a matter of shame for the civil society and the political system in the 21st century. The national parties should strive to provide quality education, health care and employment skills to every one without any discrimination, and promote the one India-one people concept”.

Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan said here today that the Lok Satta Party has for the first time in 30 years of Indian politics elected its Working Committee democratically and by secret ballot.

Releasing the list of members of the party at a media conference, Dr. JP said the party constitution provided for the mandatory representation for women, SC, ST and BC communities and minorities.

The party President nominated some competent leaders to the Working Committee to ensure representation to all districts and sections.

Dr. JP told a meeting of candidates who had already been announced to contest the Assembly elections that they should fight like soldiers since elections were only 60 days away. They should be prepared to make any sacrifice needed to preserve and protect Lok Satta’s ideology. “Millions of people have pinned great hopes on the Lok Satta. People won’t forgive us if we let them down.”

Dr. JP told the contestants that they should strive for victory without waiting for any electoral alliances and raise local resources without depending on the party headquarters for assistance.

Dr. JP said that a Campaign Committee under the leadership of movie director Tammareddy Bharadwaja had been constituted.

Referring to news reports that both Chief Minister Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu had illegally amassed wealth and helped their children through irregular means, Dr. JP wanted them to respond to the allegations. He wanted a special court to be set up to go into the allegations and confiscation of their properties, if the allegations were proved. Although both leaders appeared to be indulging in serious exchanges, both of them ultimately dodged the inquiry issue after a lengthy discussion in the Assembly last year.