Jagan ’appreciates’ Modi, but committed to secularism

 

Hyderabad, Sept 30, 2013, (PTI): Just out  after 16 months in jail, YSR Congress President Y S Jaganmohan Reddy today sent signals that he was keeping his options open post Lok Sabha elections today and had a word of appreciation for BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

 

"I said I am secular. what other secular parties like Communists, like Janata Dal (U), would do, I will also do the same. I have my options. I dont think I would be in a hurry. All these options are there for everybody," he told reporters here.

 

He  said he appreciated Modi as an administrator but wanted him to strive for bringing all parties on a secular platform.

 

"What I want Narendra Modi to do is, I appreciate Modi as an administrator, I want Modi to change this entire system in bringing every party on to a secular platform in the interest of the nation," he said.

 

Stressing that religion is a matter of personal faith, he wondered why should religion be politicised and any individual discriminated over his religion.

 

"I belong to the present generation. Whether we are Hindus, Christians or Muslims, we are all born here, live here and are going to die here," he said.

 

The YSRCP remained committed to secularism, he added. 

 

Dismissing TDP’s allegation that he got his bail as a result of a deal with Congress, he asked why would he be in jail for sixteen months if at all there is any deal.

 

"If there is any deal why should I be in jail for sixteen months. Why would I go to any jail ," he said.

 

Asserting that he got bail as per the due process of law, he said it is a political conspiracy against him.

 

Jagan said he did not get bail for sixteen–long months though bail is a constitutional right if chargesheet is not filed within 90 days.

 

Alleging that the congress leadership set out to divide Andhra Pradesh thoughtlessly, he said his party is sincere in fighting for united Andhra Pradesh.

 

He said the YSRCP would organize a public meeting in Hyderabad on convenient day between October 15 and 20 as he cannot leave Hyderabad as per the conditions laid out in granting bail to him.

 

Accusing TDP for allegedly playing politics on the issue division of Andhra Pradesh, he demanded that the Andhra Pradesh legislative Assembly be convened immediately for passing a resolution in favour of united Andhra Pradesh.

 

Jaganmohan Reddy met Governor E S L Narasimhan here today with a request to convene the assembly immediately before the note on proposed division is placed before the Union Cabinet for approval.

 

Voicing opposition to the division of Andhra Pradesh, he said sharing of water and other resources would be a big problem  resulting in injustice to Seemandhra regions.

 

Hyderabad generates 50 per cent of the state revenue and its loss would deprive the (new) Andhra Pradesh of income affecting its economic viability.