Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday said that Kadapa MP YS Jagan Mohan Reddy deserves no mercy as he indulged in corruption.
Addressing an by-elections meeting at Municipal Grounds here, Azad said that the on-going CBI probe against Jaganmohan Reddy was initiated by the judiciary and therefore, it was wrong to blame the Congress party or the government for the same. “We have great respect for the departed soul (YSR) and Mrs YSR (Vijayamma). But their son does not deserve any mercy,” Azad said.
Azad said that several leaders including A Raja, Suresh Kalmadi and Kanimozi were arrested on the charges of corruption and there was no question of sparing anyone who faces such charges. He said Jaganmohan Reddy was arrested by the CBI for his alleged involvement in large scale corruption. He said Jagan has built palatial bungalows in Bangalore and Hyderabad at a cost of nearly Rs 600 Crore. He said the money used to construct those buildings was illegal.
The Union Minister also listed out the schemes that were implemented for the development of Tirupati. He appealed to the voters to exercise their franchise consciously and ensure that Congress retains the Tirupati seat.
Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy said that despite financial constraints the State Government was implementing several welfare schemes for the people. He said only Congress party could ensure secured life for the people.
Regarding Jaganmohan Reddy, the Chief Minister said that people should understand the reasons for which the Kadapa MP was arrested. He ridiculed the YSR Congress leaders attempt to gain people’s sympathy over Jagan’s arrest. He said when YS Rajasekhara Reddy ordered a CBI probe after Jagan’s name was dragged in former minister Paritala Ravi’s murder case, no one, including his wife Vijayamma objected. However, he said the same probing agency was being described as ruling party’s tool when it arrested Jagan for accumulating wealth through illegal means.
Kiran Kumar Reddy said that Jagan was facing serious charges and faces imprisonment up to 10 to 14 years if all charges are proved against him.
Rajya Sabha MP K Chiranjeevi appealed to the voters to elect Congress candidate Venkata Ramana. He announced that he would adopt Chittoor district and would diverted all MPLAD funds for the development of Tirupati. He said a “the YS virus” has plagued the State bringing the entire administration to a halt. He said Jagan’s mother Vijayamma and sister Sharmila were wrongly trying to gain sympathy from the people over Jagan’s arrest.
Chiranjeevi alleged that Jaganmohan Reddy was trying to use politics as a shield to protect himself from punishment for his involvement in economic crimes.
Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana, Tirupati MP Chintamani and other senior Congress leaders also addressed the public meeting.
–Agencies