The alleged irregularities that took place during YSR regime is perhaps one of the biggest scams/the first ever quid pro quo that came to light not just in Andhra Pradesh but at the national level. The quid pro quo, cited by CBI, has got multiple dimensions. It is known that CBI-the premier investigation authority-has been probing disproportionate assets case. And yes, the case is presumably complex one with so many people and so many companies being involved in it. Can you just imagein where was Gali Janardhan Reddy and where our Jaganmohan Reddy?  Gali Janardhan Reddy was the BJP leader of Karnataka then and Jaganmohan Reddy was a Congress man. While both these parties are arch rivals, how did Gali gain benefits from the YSR (Congress) sarkar? It's a big question that makes everyone discuss endlessly.

When Gali Janardhan Reddy allegedly applied for mining lease on Andhra-Karnataka border, the government then allegedly granted him the lease/to his company Obulapuram Mining Company overlooking the deserving ones, which were first in the queue then. The bureaucrat then Mrs. Srilakhmi is facing CBI charges for granting permission to OMC to dig iron ore on Andhra-Karnataka border. And OMC went on to dig so much so that it even tampered with the borderline of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Good that Supreme Court of India ordered OMC not to go ahead with the digging until and unless the borderline is ascertained. This OMC case is just an example of irregularities that took place in YSR regime. There are many such cases wherein several corporates allegedly got benefits from YSR Government and as an apparent deal, they invested the money into Jaganmohan Reddy's companies including Jagati Publications. In fact, Jagati Publications auditor Vijay Sai Reddy himself is the second accused in the illegal assets case while Jagan being the prime accused.

What about the ministers who supported YSR's orders then? Present home minister Sabita Indra Reddy, minister Mopidevi Venkataramana and four others who received notices from Supreme Court over controversial GO s issued during YSR rule were being apparently questioned by the public on public forums. Already Mopidevi was put behind the bars in connection with Vanpic case (another dimension of illegal assets case). Now home minister Sabitha Indra Reddy was named accused number four (for benefits given to Dalmia cement company-probably another dimension of illegal assets case).

Is it not the duty of any minister or bureaucrat to say no even if chief minister orders/advices them to do something controversial, questioned many people and politicians including CPI state secretary Narayana. Blindly following what chief minister says would be nothing but trying to be in his good books and this itself puts them at guilt, added the observers who said that alleged tainted ministers should be taken to the task.

(AW Phani)