VIZIANAGARAM/VISAKHAPATNAM: AP BJP president PVN Madhav admitted that allegations of rampant corruption against some MLAs at the grassroots level are overshadowing the good work being done by the NDA government in the state and said such practices need to be curbed immediately.
Speaking to TNIE during AP Dialogues, Madhav said almost all MLAs are working towards development but a few are involved in activities that are drawing public criticism.
Though the NDA government is bringing huge investments and taking up several developmental and welfare initiatives across the state, the good work is getting overshadowed due to corruption at the lower level, Madhav said.
He said such allegations are giving ammunition to the YSRCP to target the coalition government.
“These allegations at the grassroots level are heavily shadowing all the good work. This should be curbed,” he said.
Madhav said the issue has been brought to the notice of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and expressed confidence that he would take appropriate action.
Responding to allegations of illegal mining and harassment of the public by a private agency engaged for tax collection, he said there is a need for a proper policy to deal with such issues.
Madhav urges public to stop taking money for casting vote
Acknowledging that people are facing problems due to a private agency collecting taxes, he said there is a perception among the public that a parallel regime is operating.
“This kind of thing will create a negative atmosphere among the public and it should be addressed. Corruption should be curbed in all spheres. So we have brought it to the notice of the CM,” he said.
Attributing the prevalence of corruption to heavy expenditure during elections, Madhav said the practice of voters taking money has become a major culprit.
“When people take 10 rupees or 100 rupees, the person who gives 100 rupees will try to take 1,000 rupees. He wants to earn 10 times what he pays in elections. This kind of mechanism is unfortunately being forced in the state,” he said.
He urged people to stop taking money to cast their vote, stating that it would help in curbing corruption and improving governance at the grassroots level.
