Who is Jayadev Galla, the millionaire TDP MP who initiated no-confidence debate?
New Delhi, July 20: Telegu Desam Party MP Jayadev Galla's speech in the Lok Sabha today reminded one of Amaron battery's tag line: Long, really long. Incidentally Galla owns the company that manufactures Amaron.
Jayadev Galla is the managing director of Amara Raja Group which is known for its automotive battery brand "Amaron".
Galla was asked by TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu to open the debate and was allotted 13 minutes by the Lok Sabha Speaker for presenting the party's stand. However, later he kept asking for some extra time.
Here are five things to know about TDP MP Jayadev Galla:
1. The 52-year-old MP represents the Guntur constituency in Andhra Pradesh. He was elected to the 16th Lok Sabha in May 2014.
2. Jayadev Galla was born in Chittoor but shifted to the United States of America at an early age. After living there for almost 22 years, he returned to India.
3. Galla has studied political science and economics at the University of Illinois.
4. He is an industrialist by profession and is the managing director of the Amara Raja Group. He has been rated as one of the best CEOs in the country.
5. Jaydev Galla declared assets worth Rs 683 crore in the 2014 general elections, making him one of the wealthiest politicians in India.
Galla in his speech called the Modi regime a "saga of empty promises". He slammed the central government for not granting special status to Andhra Pradesh and failing to fulfil its promises according to the AP Reorganisation Act.
Jayadev Galla, while initiating the debate on no-confidence motion, said, "It is not a war between BJP and TDP. It's a dharma yudh."
"Today we are witnessing a war between promise and morality. The BJP president himself has decided to wage a war against the TDP. Uncertainty still continues in Andhra Pradesh and this government has put more challenges before us," he said.
"The no-confidence motion was moved because of: Lack of trust, priority, and an unbiased approach towards Andhra Pradesh," Galla said.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi in his speech referred to Jayadev Galla's speech and said that he heard him very carefully. Rahul said that he and the whole country are victims of 21st-century political weapon. This political weapon, he says, is called 'jumla strikes'.
In his speech, Jayadev Galla while referring to Prime Minister Modi had said, "You are singing a different tune, which the people of Andhra Pradesh are keenly observing. They would give a befitting reply in the upcoming polls. If people of Andhra are cheated, the BJP will be also decimated in the state like the Congress. Mr PM, it's not a threat, it's a shraap (curse)".
Courtesy: www.indiatoday.in
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Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early Friday warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
"Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
Stressing the need for transparency, she said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, she added, "If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated."
On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
"I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside," Hakim said.
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Banerjee had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
