Lok Satta to make a splash in 2014 elections: JP

Hyderabad, Dec 15 (INN): The Lok Sattta Party will make a splash in the 2014 elections in Andhra Pradesh by launching an aggressive campaign, declared its President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today.

Addressing media conference at the conclusion of the State party Executive Committee meeting, Dr. JP appealed to people to make the Lok Satta as their platform for changing the nature of politics. The party needs thousands of volunteers and crores of rupees to emerge as an alternative political force. 'I will take personal responsibility for utilizing every rupee you contribute and accounting for it transparently,' added Dr. JP.

Dr. JP said that thanks to Lok Satta's campaign for the last 17 years people who hitherto shunned politics are coming forward to change the nature of politics by casting their votes. The Lok Satta can proudly claim that it is the first in the country to popularize the concept that politics is a noble endeavor and that people with integrity, competence and resources should plunge into politics to transform its nature. The conditions today are conducive for the Lok Satta to make a difference.

Dr. JP recalled that the movement launched by the Lok Satta for alternative politics has gained traction and produced results. The Lok Satta has been largely responsible for electoral reforms ranging from enrolment of voters and disclosure of contestants' antecedents to collection of funds, prevention of defections and imposition of a ceiling on the size of Cabinets. It has played a stellar role in the ushering in of laws on autonomy for cooperatives, constitution of local courts, the National Health Mission, appointment of Lokpal and higher judiciary.

The Lok Satta, said Dr. JP, has a strong agenda that focuses on eradication of poverty and corruption, decentralization of power and resources, provision of Government services as a matter of right, quality education and healthcare for all, mitigating the liquor menace, 24-hour power supply, job opportunities for youth and ensuring remunerative prices to farmers for their produce.

The Lok Satta will take its agenda to the last man so that it can emerge as a strong alternative force in the next elections and change the nature of politics.

In reply to a question, Dr. JP said that the Lok Satta has close ties with the Aam Aadmi Party. It will decide on alliances at the time of elections.

State Lok Satta Party President Katari Srinivasa Rao said that the party would devote the next few months before the elections to agitate on three important problems plaguing people. It will expose how youth have been taken for a ride in the name of Rajiv Yuva Kiranalu, unbridled liquor consumption has been ruining people and urban dwellers are exposed to a host of diseases because of unsafe drinking water.

Dr. JP added that the Government's total expenditure on all welfare schemes ranging from supply of rice at one rupee a kg and free power supply to farmers to tuition fee reimbursement and Aarogyasri amounted to Rs.23000 crore. In contrast, the Government realized revenue of Rs.20000 crore on liquor while people spent nearly Rs.40000 crore on liquor consumption.

Dr. V. S. S. N Murthy, pediatrician, Dr. Rohini Murthy, gynecologist of Amalapuram, joined the Lok Satta Party today.

Ravi Maruth, General Secretary and Bandaru Ramamohan Rao, Vice President, took part in the media meet.