Hyderabad, February 18: In a development, which has created ripples in political circles, Lok Satta Party president Jayaprakash Narayan was manhandled by Telangana Rashtra Samiti legislators and their supporters in the precincts of the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
As Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan was addressing the media at the designated media point on the Assembly premises, TRS MLAs and their supporters led by T. Harish Rao descended on the venue. The Lok Satta president expressed concern over the developments in the Assembly claiming that the incidents showed signs of a breakdown of the constitutional mechanism.
As he was leaving the venue, he tried to exchange pleasantries with the TRS members who were menacingly marching towards him. Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan and Congress MLC Paladugu Venkata Rao who was accompanying him tried to move away from the media point but were obstructed by the TRS group resulting in jostling.
Sudden attack
In the melee, a TRS MLA assaulted Dr. Narayan, while Mr. Venkata Rao was pushed aside. Flabbergasted as he was over the unexpected turn of events, Dr. Narayan, however, maintained his composure. As he was being escorted out, a TRS activist, reportedly the driver of TRS floor leader E. Rajender, attacked him from behind in full glare of the video cameramen who were shooting the incident.
Mr. Harish Rao and others who were witness to the development, however, did not caution their activist nor condemn the attack.
Special Correspondent adds:
Later, speaking to the media, Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan said he did not see the assault on him in the premises of Assembly here on Thursday as a personal one but an attack on democratic system.
Thanking people from across the State and leaders of political parties who expressed their concern and condemned the incident vehemently, a composed Dr.JP, who addressed media persons later at the party office, said that the incident reflected the declining democratic values.
Dr.JP said that democracy meant reconciling differences, resolving the conflict in a peaceful manner through consensus and abiding by the Constitution. Some people were intent on silencing the voice of those who enjoyed credibility.
Clarifying that he did not demand President’s Rule, Dr.JP said he cautioned that if unruly situation persisted and legislature was prevented from conducting business, it could lead to such an eventuality.
He urged people who were upset with erosion of values not to remain silent and strive for protecting the system. If good, honest and sensitive people chose to remain silent, they would be doing more harm to the society than those without any scruples, he added.
Refusing to lodge a complaint on any one, he said he did not see who had manhandled him. The incident happened in full view of people and TV cameras. Dr.JP said he had confidence that the custodians of both Houses would protect the legislature’s sanctity.
Stating that he bore no ill will towards TRS because of the incident, he said an eye for an eye would make the whole world blind.
He also clarified that Lok Satta was not averse to separate Telangana demand but advocated for protecting interests of people in all regions. It was committed to protecting the rights of Telangana people be it in education, jobs or in share of Krishna water. Lok Satta spearheaded the demand for deletion of Section 14 from the President Order which treated Hyderabad as free zone for police recruitment, he said.
Dr.JP dismissed the speculation that he was tendering his resignation following the unruly incident and said the party would not shirk from its duty of strengthening democracy.
Meanwhile Lok Satta Party working president D.V.V.S.Varma appealed to all political parties to observe February 18 as ‘Democracy Protection Day’ to condemn the attack on Dr.JP.
–Agencies