Hyderabad, January 30: TDP president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said that he would launch his anti-corruption agitation with a foot-march (padayatra) tomorrow, on Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary.
Mr. Naidu told reporters here that his “war on corruption” would be waged on an apolitical platform, through the NTR Memorial Trust. Jana Chaitanya Vedika, a voluntary organisation too would be a part of the agitation.
Mr. Naidu appealed intellectuals, celebrities, professionals, the media and the common people to join in.
“After the event tomorrow, we shall take our fight to the districts and the villages across Andhra Pradesh. We shall also join hands with similar movements like `India Against Corruption’,” he said.
“We demand that the Government of India immediately consider the draft Lokpal bill prepared by India Against Corruption and have a wider public debate on it,” the TDP chief said.
“The Centre must enact the Lokpal bill, bringing the Prime Minister under Lokpal’s purview, in the next session of Parliament,” Mr. Naidu said.
The TDP chief criticised Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee for offering “amnesty” plan for those who declare illegal deposits in foreign banks.
“The Supreme Court pulled up the Government at least three times on black money, which was unprecedented. It’s a clear slap on the face of the government but still it was trying to shield those guilty,” he said.
Prime Minister has not yet responded to his letter in this regard, Mr. Naidu said.
–Source: Hindu