“Our stand is vindicated,” was how YSR Congress Party reacted to the Supreme Court direction on the 26 controversial GOs issued by Andhra Pradesh Government from 2004-09 and termed it as a censure to CBI style of functioning in the case.
“The apex court’s decision has brought down curtains to the speculation and propaganda being unleashed against YS Jagan Mohan Reddy after the court has issued notices to six ministers and 11 IAS officers in the case,” Party’s Advisor Somayajulu told reporters here on Monday.
Somayajulu asked as to why the decision makers of the controversial 26 GOs were let off and fingers were being pointed only at Jagan Mohan Reddy. The case was filed by Congress legislator P Shankar Rao and three senior TDP leaders have impleaded. “The charges were that there was loot of public money by issuing GOs. Though the arguments went on for over nine months, the Advocate General did not put forth the Government’s view point,” he alleged.
He further said that the Congress High Command has not given permission to the ministers and IAS officers to defend themselves in the court as their single-point agenda was to defame YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. “We have been asking all these days, why the names of the cabinet ministers, Chief Secretary and other IAS officers were not included in the FIR. While the name of Jagan Mohan Reddy, who was accused no 52, was blown out of proportion,” he said adding that the State was accused in the case and it is a sorry state of affairs as it did not file a counter.
“Supreme Court’s direction is definitely a rap on the knuckles to CBI and its style of functioning in the case as it has not included the name of respondents in the FIR. Though the case went on for about nine months, the State Government did not file a counter to absolve itself of the charges or defended its action of issuing the GOs,” he said.
Meanwhile, party official spokespersons Jupudi Prabhakar Rao, Vasireddy Padma and leaders Mareppa and Lalitha Kumari welcomed the Supreme Court direction and said that the Congress and TDP have tried their best to pin down Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Justice prevailed at last and the apex court has put the case on the right course, they said. “They tried to defame our leader and spread rumours that he will be arrested soon to demoralise the cadre, but truth prevailed and what we have been saying throughout has come true and we hope that the proceedings will be on track.” (INN)