Hang tainted ministers also, not just Jagan: Raghavulu

CPI (M) alleges diversion of SC & ST Sub-Plan fundsA Nellore: State CPI (M) Secretary B V Raghavulu said that he does not agree with the statement of Anam Ramnarayana Reddy that Y S Jaganmohan Reddy should be hanged. If that was the case, then all the tainted ministers, who were facing corruption charges in the State, should also be hanged, Raghavulu said. Raghavulu was the chief guest at the 16th general body meeting of the All-India Agricultural Labourers Organization here on Monday. He demanded the dismissal of the ministers who were facing corruption charges from the State cabinet. Earlier, Raghavulu lashed out at the State government for the delay in holding elections to the local bodies and also in releasing the funds for the SC & ST Sub-Plan. He came down heavily on the government for diverting the funds meant for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes for other purposes. He also castigated the government for misusing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, which was meant to provide jobs for the rural poor and the downtrodden. Raghavulu said that the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy was indulging in cheap political propaganda by highlighting the Indiramma Kalalu programme, which was of no use to the poor. In fact, he had shattered the dreams of the poor, he said. He said that the government had failed miserably in controlling the prices of the essential commodities.

The CPI(M) leader said that by postponing the elections to the local bodies frequently, the government was making a mockery of democracy. He said that the State government had no right to remain in office even for a day and demanded elections to the Assembly immediately. Raghavulu demanded an explanation from the State government whether its decision to supply 9 types of essential commodities for Rs 185 for each family would continue along with the cash transfer scheme. He said that it was unfortunate that the opposition parties failed to bring down the minority Congress government in the State. He said that it was highly deplorable that the working days of the agricultural labourers were getting reduced.

Protests against Anam's remarks continue Finance Minister Anam Ramanarayan Reddy's remarks against Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy continued receiving flak from the YSR Congress Party leaders and supporters in Nellore district on the third consecutive day on Monday. It may be noted that Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said there would be nothing wrong if Jagan is hanged for all his misdeeds and corruption during the reign of his father, late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, in the State. Protesting against Anam Ramanarayana Reddy's remarks, the YSRCP leaders and activists staged protests and rasta rokos across the district on Monday. The protests were held in Kovur, Atmakur, Udayagiri, Kavali, Gudur, Sullurpet, Venkatagiri and Nellore Assembly constituencies. In Nellore town, the YSRCP activists led by Town Convener Anil Kumar Yadav staged a protest and later tried to burn an effigy of Anam Ramanarayan Reddy. However, police foiled their attempt and tried to disperse them. The angered activists found fault with the indifferent attitude of police and staged a protest near former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's statue at Gandhi Centre in Nellore. They started raising slogans against the Finance Minister and the local police. At last, the police took all the agitating activists into custody and shifted them to a nearby police station. YSRCP leaders R Kumar Yadav, Jessie and others were present. Meanwhile, the YSRCP activists organised the funeral processions to Anam Ramanarayan Reddy and burnt his effigies in Kovuru, Atmakur, Udayagiri, Kavali, Gudur, Sullurpet and Venkatagiri Assembly constituencies. The YSRCP leaders said the Finance Minister was speaking out of frustration in the wake of the people's total support to Jagan and the district people were ready to teach a fitting lesson to him in the ensuing 2014 general elections.

YSRCP bid for mock funeral foiled Police foiled the bid of YSR Congress Party activists led by the party convener P Anil Kumar Yadav in conducting a mock funeral of State Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy and trying to burn his effigy here on Monday. Protesting against the high-handedness of the police in thwarting their attempts, the YSRCP activists clashed with the police and heated exchanges ensued between Anil Kumar Yadav and the police. He was arrested and sent to the One Town police station along with several party activists. Speaking to the media in the town on Monday, Yadav came down heavily on Anam. He alleged that power had gone into the head of Ramnarayana Reddy and that was why he was using such intemperate language. He said that it was unbecoming of Ramnarayana Reddy to spew venom on the late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's family members after his tragic demise. He alleged that the police, which did not take any action against those Congress Party workers who burnt the effigy of their leader Jaganmohan Reddy, prevented them from conducting the mock funeral of Anam. Yadav alleged that Anam was misusing the police force in trying to suppress the agitation launched by the YSR Congress party activists.He said that it would be better if Anam and his family members were banished from Nellore rather than the YSRCP leaders from the State. Yadav reminded Anam that he owed his political growth to YSR and it was highly unfortunate that the Minister was criticising the latter after his death. YSRCP leader Dwarakanath and several others were present on the occasion.