Vijayawada: Telugu Desam national general secretary N. Lokesh, along with senior TD leaders, called on Governor S. Abdul Nazeer in Raj Bhavan on Tuesday, complaining that democracy is being subverted in Andhra Pradesh.
They submitted to the Governor a representation, which underlined that democracy is on a downward spiral in Andhra Pradesh ever since Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy assumed charge as CM some 53 months ago.
The TD leaders alleged Jagan Mohan Reddy is showing contempt for the constitution, democracy, and rule of law, using violence to suppress dissent and voices for democracy. The Chief Minister targeted the leader of the opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu and disrupted Lokesh’s Yuva Galam foot march.
Telugu Desam leaders said Naidu had been arrested on trumped-up charges pertaining to AP Skill Development Corporation. TD’s senior leaders are also being targeted.
Specifically, Lokesh pointed out that his father and TD chief had been kept in prison for 53 days, despite the fact that he is aged 74 years and has a history of ailments. He maintained that other false cases had been foisted against Chandrababu Naidu while in judicial remand, including fibernet, inner ring road, liquor policy, and free sand policy, among others. The intention is to keep the former chief minister away from people till the time of elections.
The TD general secretary said Dalits, women, backward and oppressed sections are suffering, while there is no limit to atrocities against vulnerable sections. He alleged manipulation of the voters’ list with the active assistance from a publicly funded village volunteer system and direct involvement of the ruling party’s election campaign consultants.
Later, Lokesh told media persons they met the Governor and expressed concern that AP is going to become Bihar of south India if the ongoing trend of lawless rule continues. He underlined that the Governor has the responsibility of protecting the constitution.
The TD leader said they will take up the anomalies in the electoral rolls of the state with the Election Commission of India in New Delhi on Wednesday.
