Jagan bats for secularism, committed to united AP

Hyderabad: YSR Congress president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said that his party is committed to secularism. Speaking to the media on Monday at his residence after he was released on bail, Jagan reiterated the need to strengthen secular forces in the country. Replying to a question on alliance at the national level Jagan said, “My party is committed to secularism. Personally, I admire Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as an administrator, but he must realize that irrespective of religion, all Indians are the same. I wish he could bring all secular parties on one platform in the interest of the nation.” The YSRC chief said there were secular parties in the country like Communist parties, Janata Dal (U) and others, and his party could work with them. He clarified that his party’s earlier announcement of willingness to support a secular alliance does not necessarily mean the UPA. Jagan condemned allegations that the YSRC and Congress had stuck a deal to get him out on bail. He said if that was true he would not have to wait for 16 months. The CBI did not file all the chargesheets for 16 months, he pointed out. Reddy alleged that it was a political conspiracy against him. “Telugu Desam leaders alleged that the YSRC and Congress had colluded. I could not respond to their allegations because I was in jail. In fact, it was the TD and the Congress who acted in collusion,” the YSRC chief said. Jagan alleged that both Congress and TD had shared Information Commissioners posts and had colluded in the MLC elections and the Assembly byelections. He said that his party has decided to conduct a mammoth public meeting ‘Samaikya Sankharavam’ in Hyderabad between October 15 and 20. YSRC committed to united AP, says Jagan Hyderabad: YSR Congress president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said that he and his MLAs met Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan at the Raj Bhavan to give a representation requesting him to convene Assembly session to pass a resolution on united State. Jagan said that his party was committed to Samaikyandhra and the CPM and MIM also support it, but the rest of the parties were enacting dramas. He said, “I can say with confidence that our party will take forward development in Telangana.” He said all the political parties should write to the Centre demanding a united AP. “I am confident that the Centre will realise it.”