After denial of `opposition status’ to the YSRCP in the AP Legislative Assembly, recognizing its leader YS Jaganmohan Reddy as the `Leader of the Opposition’, the controversial BJP leader and former union minister Dr Subramanian Swamy entered the scene.
Known for his proximity with Jaganmohan Reddy, he has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the AP High Court seeking to grant opposition status to the YSRCP in the AP Assembly. He revealed that the hearing on this petition will be held on March 12.
He said that taking away the rights of the opposition is against democracy and all political parties should get the right to contest elections equally. The BJP leader commented that the ruling party should respect democratic institutions and provide a suitable place to the opposition parties.
Dr Swamy argued that even though the YSRCP has a small number of MLAs in the Assembly, it is right for it to be in the opposition compared to the ruling party and other opposition parties. He believed that even though the number of opposition members in the Assembly is not large, they should have an opportunity to voice their arguments on behalf of the people.
Subramanian Swamy said that in the context of the Tirupati Deputy Mayor by-election, attacks on public representatives were carried out by the ruling party. He said that such incidents are unfortunate in a democracy and suggested that political parties should protect democratic values.
He criticized the barbaric act of not giving a platform to opposition parties and abusing them. He said that people need to be given an opportunity to express their views through elections.
It may be recalled that during Jaganmohan Reddy’s regime he had visited him twice in a chartered flight, arranged by the then TTD Trust Board Chairman YV Subba Reddy and also he filed a case against Andhra Jyothi news paper in a Tirupati court, for publishing a news against the TTD.
While numerous Hindu organization had expressed concern over sanctity of Tirumala shrine during YCP regime with allegations like non- Hindus are being appointed by the TTD and also Christian religious campaign encouraging conversions was carried out at Tirumala, in which some TTD employees were also suspected to be involved, Dr Swamy extended strong support to Jaganmohan Reddy.
After BJP refused to revive his Rajya Sabha membership, it was widely suspected that Dr Swamy tried to continue in the upper house with the support of the YSRCP.
