Mohan Babu fires another salvo against AP CM

Mohan Babu, the controversial ruling Telugu Desam Party member of Parliament, on Wednesday fired another salvo against the Chandrababu Naidu government in Andhra Pradesh. He demanded the Lok Ayukta be granted the power to prosecute and that the chief minister be brought under its ambit.

Addressing the media, the film star who earlier charged the party leadership with ''shielding brokers and land-grabbers'', said he was organising a national convention on corruption in public life by October.

"My battle is against the kullu rajakiyam (debased politics) which has of late become hi-tech," he said, adding that he was only continuing the crusade started by his guru, the late N T Rama Rao.

In a veiled attack on the Naidu government, Mohan Babu said he could no longer remain a silent spectator to "rampant corruption, scandals and wastage of public money in the guise of hi-tech rule and plea of launching new projects and contracts".

Mohan Babu, however, clarified that his reference to ''hi-tech debased politics'' was not against Naidu ''who is my chief minister and party boss''.

Asked whether he had sought the party leadership's permission to organise the convention, Mohan Babu said he did not think anyone in the party was opposed to the idea (to fight corruption).

The film star said he was "up to date" with his income tax payments and there had been no raids or enquiry against him during his career.

He said he had achieved success in the film industry, starting with 2.5 acres of land as a headmaster's son. He was not one of those who started with two acres and now possessed 450 acres. ''Nor have I started a five-star hotel, a factory or put my money in a Swiss bank.... I have invested my earnings in a vidayala,'' he added.

UNI

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