As the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government in Andhra Pradesh has stepped up the onslaught against the YSR Congress party leaders one after the other in one case or the other, the YSRCP, too, is gearing up the party leaders to face the legal battles.
On Tuesday, YSRCP president and former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy held a meeting with his party’s legal cell members and gave them directions on how to face the challenges in the wake of alleged witch hunt by the Chandrababu Naidu government.
He said the lawyers must take the lead in fighting for justice, as innocent people are being jailed without evidence and false cases are being filed for political reasons.
He urged the party's legal cell advocates to stand with the victims and protect their rights in court.
Jagan appreciated the support lawyers have given to the party and described them as pillars of strength.
He reminded them that if a petition is not filed and arguments are not made, justice cannot be expected. He said advocates have a key role to play and the party deeply values their service.
He said that under the present TDP-led coalition, justice and ethics have vanished. He said that if someone is identified as a political opponent, they are being sent to jail without proper evidence.
“This is a shameful political culture. Confessions are being taken through threats and bribes, and false evidence is being created,” he said and asked the the legal community to take a stand.
He recalled the support his government had extended to lawyers during YSRCP’s rule. He said Rs 100 crore was allocated to the Advocates' Welfare Fund and one-third of insurance contributions were paid by the government.
He also pointed out that reservations were given to lawyers from backward sections in GP and AGP positions.
He said the Law Nestham scheme helped many young advocates and that his government always stood with the legal fraternity.
Jagan accused the current government of betraying even the lawyers, just like it misled the people with false schemes like Super-6 and Super-7.
He said corruption has spread widely, especially in the liquor business, illegal sand mining, and Amaravati land deals.
He pointed out that belt shops are being run in every village, permit rooms are being sold illegally, and MRP liquor is being sold at higher prices.
He criticised the government for collecting huge commissions in construction projects and misusing mobilisation advances.
