‘Nation in grip of corporate mafia’

• AAP leader Prashant Bhushan addresses meet in Hyderabad
• Calls for total revamp of three organs of government
• AAP not for tie-ups, but keen on alliance with Lok Satta

Hyderabad: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Prashant Bhushan on Saturday alleged that “Corporate mafia has taken over the country and all major political parties are hand in glove with big corporates. The entire administration, the judiciary and the political system need a revamp.”

Addressing a meeting here, the eminent lawyer said the need of the hour is to weed out the menace by going in for decentralisation at all levels. Referring to the issue of T State, he said, “AAP supports bifurcation of the State.” Protesting against this comment, a section of Seemandhra supporters staged a walkout, shouting ‘Jai Samaikyandhra’ slogans.

On the role of AAP and its rise, Bhushan said initially it did not want to enter politics, but had to contest the elections as it had become inevitable to change the system from outside. He said an eight-member coordination committee had been formed in Andhra Pradesh with separate units for Telangana and Seemandhra.

Ram Krishna Raju of National Alliance of Peoples Movement (NAPM) would play a key role. An election committee would be set up in the State and the party would contest in as many seats as possible. So far, the membership had touched one lakh in the state, he informed.

Referring to alliances, Bhushan said AAP would not get into pre-poll alliances but was open to work with Lok Satta Party. He said the entire administrative system needs an overhaul. CCTVs in government offices, digitisation of government records and uploading on website coupled with a strong Jan Lok Pal would pave the way for better administration. He further said there was a need to change the VIP culture in the country.

“Both Congress party as well as the BJP are two sides of the same coin. The elections in Delhi raised the hopes of people in the country that the common man can bring about a change,” he said.