New Delhi: Several leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc backed former chief minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy Wednesday as he led a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government over the allegedly deteriorating law-and-order situation in Andhra Pradesh.
Prominent leaders of the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Shiv Sena (UBT), the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) openly lent their support to Reddy, with VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan calling on the former CM to consider joining the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).
The TDP, which is in power in the state, is a key ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre.
Reddy voiced his concerns over the law-and-order situation and violence in Andhra Pradesh. “Today, they are in power; tomorrow, we can come into power. Yesterday, we were in power, but we had never propagated such behaviour. We have never encouraged assaults and properties to be vandalised. Today, the situation is different in Andhra Pradesh,” Reddy said, addressing the crowd at Jantar Mantar, where he was joined by the SP’s Akhilesh Yadav, VCK leader and MP Thirumavalavan, and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut.
Reddy has alleged that there have been several cases of violence against YSRCP workers in the state since the new government came to power. The TDP has denied the claims.
Speaking at the protest, Yadav said, “If I hadn’t come here, and seen the photos, I wouldn’t have realised the reality. In politics, sometimes you are in power and sometimes you are not. After seeing all this, I only want to say that those who are in power should have some simplicity. They should listen to others and should not take someone’s life. The pictures and videos which we are seeing show that since they have come to power, they have started doing injustice to political adversaries.”
Yadav also criticised ‘bulldozer’ politics. “Taking life, beating people on the streets, damaging their properties, slapping false cases against them and attacking elected members: this cannot be part of a healthy democracy…This culture of ‘bulldozer’ in democracy — we Samajwadi people can never accept it. What message is the government giving? Is it trying to scare the people?… A good CM will not scare anyone,” he added.
Wednesday’s visit to Delhi is Reddy’s first since his party’s defeat in this year’s assembly elections.
Though not an NDA constituent, the YSRCP was closely aligned with the BJP until the latter allied with the TDP shortly before the Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh assembly elections. The YSRCP voted in favour of almost all the bills introduced by the government in the previous Lok Sabha.
‘First, you have to decide to join us’
Thirumavalavan questioned the state of democracy in the TDP-ruled state. “We stand before this country in Delhi and we question whether democracy is prevalent or not in Andhra Pradesh… Within 45 days of the government coming into power, more than 30 people have been murdered, assaults are taking place, leading to attempted murders, and several properties have been vandalised,” he said.
Thirumavalavan also urged Reddy to join the opposition bloc.
“We assure you that we are with you, and, on behalf of VCK, I want to assure you that we are with you for your justice. First, you have to decide to join us [INDIA bloc], and that is my humble request.”
Raut called for an independent investigation. “I have come here today to extend support to our friend Jagan ji. And from Maharashtra, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has specially said that…governments come and go, but the way I have been seeing things in AP is that in 40 odd days, khoon ki nadiya beh rahi hai Andhra Pradesh mai (rivers of blood are flowing in Andhra Pradesh),” said Raut.
“If there is a home minister of India and if there is a home ministry in Delhi, then a special team should be sent to AP to carry out an independent inquiry into the brutal attack against the party workers. The way the situation is, I feel the current government doesn’t have the authority to stay in power for a single day. There is no law and order. With all our strength, we will continue to raise our voice and be with you,” he added.
(Edited by Sanya Mathur)
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