Hyderabad: Stating that free and fair elections were not possible in Telangana with K. Chandrashekhar Rao as the caretaker Chief Minister, the major opposition parties demanded the imposition of President Rule in the State with immediate effect.
Led by Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, a delegation comprising of Telangana TDP President L. Ramana, Telangana Jana Samithi president Prof. M. Kodandaram, CPI Secretary Chada Venkat Reddy, CLP leader K. Jana Reddy, TPCC Working President Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, D.K. Aruna and other others met Governor E.S.L. Narsimhan at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday evening and submitted a memorandum.
Speaking to media persons at Dilkusha Guest House later, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the opposition parties, during their interaction with the Governor, have expressed their concern over KCR abusing power for the benefit of TRS.
Referring to the press conference addressed by KCR after dissolution of Assembly, they said KCR had openly claimed that he had discussed with Central Election Commission to hold the elections in November 2018 and form the government in the month of December 2018.
“This is against the principles of democracy and against the Constitution of India. Holding of elections and formation of government is the duty of Election Commission and not the ruling party,” he said.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said that Prime Minister Narender Modi, CM KCR and Election Commission appear to be in connivance to suppress people’s democratic rights. He said that the Election Commission had announced the schedule for revision of electoral rolls on September 1.
The entire process was to be completed by January 4. He pointed out that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had described the enrolment of voters as the most important activity in a democracy.
However, he said hours after dissolution of Assembly, KCR himself had announced the election schedule for next elections while making claims that he already spoke to the Chief Election Commissioner about it.
The TPCC chief also slammed Chief Advisor Dr. Rajiv Sharma and asked whether he was acting as ‘broker’ of TRS party. “How could he speak to Election Commission on behalf of TRS?” he asked. On September 7, CEC O P Rawat denied having spoken to KCR.
Despite giving a denial and without sending the EC team to Telangana, the Election Commission has revised the schedule for revision of electoral rolls and now it plans to complete the process by October 8. He said that there were huge deficiencies in the electoral rolls with more than 21 lakh names missing from the lists.
He said the haste with which Election Commission has revised the schedule indicate that it was being manipulated by KCR. “People should realise that a serious attempt is being made to suppress their democratic and fundamental rights,” he said.
Speaking about the arrest of Congress leader T. Jayaprakash Reddy alias Jagga Reddy in the 14-year-old human trafficking case, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the arrest was illegal and aimed at terrorising opposition parties just before elections.
He said the main accused in the case, Mohd Rasheed Ali, in his confessional statement had named KCR, Harish Rao and other TRS leaders. He also read out a paragraph from the confessional statement made before the Crime Investigation Department (CID) on 22-05-2007 where KCR’s role in human trafficking was alleged.
“Leaders like TRS Chandrashekhar Rao offered such recommendation letters to 5 persons during October 2005 and similarly for 3 persons in between January and February 2006.
Likewise, TRS leader Harishwar Rao who was minister in AP Cabinet also given a recommendation letter to a Gujarathi lady and her daughter saying that the above Gujrathi lady is his wife,” says the text from confessional statement.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said KCR, Harish Rao, Kasipeta Lingaiah, Bodhan ex-MLA Shakil, ex-MP Madhusudan Reddy were allegedly involved in the human trafficking racket. However, he said Jagga Reddy was selectively targeted and arrested without even serving notice under CrPC 41. He said even DGP Mahender Reddy feigned ignorance about these names.
The TPCC Chief also condemned the arrest of former Deputy CM Damodar Raj Narasimha while he was on his way to participate in a protest against the arrest of Jagga Reddy. He said Damodar Rajnarsimha is a prominent Dalit leader belonging to SC Madiga community and he had played a major role in getting Sub-Plan for SCs and STs.
However, no respect was shown for such a prominent leader and he was arrested even before he joined the protest. “Do police officials belong to Indian Police Service or working for Kalkavuntla Private Service?” he asked.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said continuance of KCR in power was a threat for entire society and fundamental rights of all citizens would be in danger if he gets re-elected.
The TPCC Chief announced that the opposition parties would meet President of India Ramnath Kovind and also the Election Commission of India asking them to take appropriate measures to save democracy in Telangana.
The opposition leaders, in their memorandum, also demanded removal of 12 government advisors, members of Planning Board and Chairmen of different corporations who are holding cabinet rank.
“Some of the Chairmen are also contesting in Assembly elections as per the list declared by TRS. This is illegal and unconstitutional,” they said.