BJP extends support to sarpanches' agitation

Vijayawada: BJP State president Daggubati Purandeswari on Tuesday announced that the party would extend support to the sarpanches agitation in the State.

She alleged that the State government has diverted the funds sanctioned by the Union government to the village panchayats and Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is not responding to the demands of the sarpanches.

Purandeswari addressed the BJP lawyers’ cell meeting at the State party office on Tuesday. Referring to the Chalo Assembly call given by sarpanches on Tuesday, she pointed out that the sarpanches have taken up agitation because Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has not responded to their demands.

She said the arrest of sarpanches by the police on Tuesday exposes the dictatorial attitude of the YSRCP government.

Purandeswari said sarpanches have spent their money for the development works in the village panchayats but the government is not releasing the bills. She recalled that the Central government had sent a committee to Andhra Pradesh to study the allegations levelled against the State government on diverting the funds meant for village panchayats.

The committee has confirmed the diversion of Central government funds. Referring to BJP’s legal cell teams, she stressed the need to strengthen the teams.

Purandeswari said the party is strengthening the cadre ahead of the general elections which are likely to take place in two months.