Political Diary

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?”

The Assembly was rocked on Monday over the fraud in Satyam Computers and the special favour “shown” by the government to Maytas Infra Limited in awarding projects worth over Rs. 20,000 crore and allotment of huge chunks of lands to it.

The storm was triggered off by a charge levelled by Leader of the Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu that Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and his son Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy floated 14 companies to keep “the ill-gotten monies” received from “shady deals” they had struck with Satyam and Maytas.

Thirty four members of the Opposition, including TDP, CPI (M), CPI and TRS, were suspended during the evening sitting for disrupting proceedings insisting on a reply from the government. TDP members earlier stormed the Speaker’s podium raising slogans against corruption in the Rajasekhara Reddy government.

Even the morning sitting was in disarray as the Speaker K. R. Suresh Reddy adjourned the House twice.

Mr. Naidu, who initiated the debate on Satyam, dared the government to order an inquiry by a sitting judge into Heritage Foods promoted by his family and also covering the 14 companies floated by the Chief Minister.

These firms included Two I and Flori operating in Mauritius and into which Rs. 125 crore was deposited overnight, besides Sandur Power Limited, Jagati Publications and Indira Television, all run by Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Auditors of the Mauritius-based firms Vijayasai Reddy and Harish were made directors of other companies overnight to divert funds, the Opposition leader alleged.

Levelling personalised allegations against the Chief Minister, Mr. Naidu said that without investing a single paisa, Dr. Reddy’s benami companies now had Rs. 600 crore.

Another Rs. 1,300 crore was expected from Raghuram Cements and Brahmani Steels. Saakshi, the Telugu newspaper launched by Dr. Reddy’s family, was able to survive in the market despite sustaining a daily loss of Rs. 1 crore because of these companies.

How else this would have been possible for a family which showed only Rs. 25 lakh as income in IT declarations?

The government showed extraordinary favour to Maytas Infra by awarding it contracts. The Chief Minister also tried to protect Satyam ex-chairman B. Ramalinga Raju by referring his case to the CID and not to the CBI. In contrast, Dr. Reddy saw to it that Margadarsi Financiers did not get funds from the Blacstone company.

‘Surrender before law’

Mr. Naidu demanded that Dr. Reddy, like Mr. Raju, must make a self-confession and surrender before law for forming companies in violation of the law. [source: the hindu]

The Praja Rajyam party’s first list of about 50 contestants for the general elections is likely to be released by the month-end.

This was disclosed by party president K. Chiranjeevi while talking to reporters here on Monday.

Asked if he would fulfil the promise of according political recognition to all sections of society while distributing party tickets, he said it was the party’s prime focus to ensure social justice.

“We are committed to it. Though this will take time, we will do our best. The general elections will just be the beginning of the process,” he stated, adding that thus far, the party had been most pro-active in announcing what it would do to different sections of people if elected to power.

As for the process to select the right candidates, party political affairs committee chairman Ch. Harirama Jogaiah said a questionnaire was being circulated to the State and district party leaders so that they could gather basic information and fill them up with their observations.

After wooing the farmers, fishermen and artisans with free power, Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) founder Chiranjeevi today said free power would also be provided to the small traders if his party was voted to power in the coming Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh.

Participating in a meeting organised by the trading community here, the actor-turned-politician acknowledged the contributions of the trading community for the betterment of the society.

He said he drew inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and would strive to achieve the goals set by him.

His party would continue the free power scheme for farmers, being implemented by the Congress Government in the State, if the PRP was voted to power in the coming elections, he said, adding free power supply would be increased to ten hours from seven hours.

The actor also announced a slew of sops to different sections of the society, including essential commodities for Rs 100 per month.

He said his party would provide 50 per cent power-subsidy for domestic consumers in rural areas, covering over 1.75 crore rural households in the State.

He also announced free power concession to weavers, goldsmiths, carpenters and barbers across the State.

The sitting MLC, Mr M.S. Lakshmana Rao, won the MLC teachers’ constituency polls held for the Guntur and Krishna district constituency by defeating the nearest rival, Mr Atluri Rangarao, by margin of 5,697 votes.

In Vijayawada , Mr Ilapuram Venkaiah, the veteran Congress leader, retained the MLC local bodies’ constituency seat by winning the polls, which were declared on Monday.

Khammam constituency saw Telangana Rastra Samithi candidate, Mr K. Dileep Kumar, being elected from Nalogonda graduate constituency by a huge margin. He was declared elected against Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, Mr Y. Krishna Reddy, with a majority of 22,223 votes.

The East and West Godavari teacher MLC seat was won by the Congress candidate, Mr K.V.V. Satyanarayana Raju, popularly known as Chaitanya Raju, who was also supported by the Joint Action Committee of Teacher’s Organisations.

In Warangal , the Telangana Rastra Samiti candidate, Mr Kapilavai Dileep Kumar, recorded a second consecutive win from the MLC Graduates Constituency comprising Nalgonda, Warangal , and Khammam.