Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad   

BJP observes `anti-Emergency' day

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD June 25. On a call given by the Central leadership, the State BJP on Wednesday observed the `anti-emergency day' to mark the imposition of Emergency in the country by late Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, on this day in 1975.

The party organised a meeting at its State headquarters here wherein leaders recalled the bitter memories of Emergency days when hundreds of political activists were jailed and the freedom of the press was scuttled.

The BJP State president, C. Ramachandra Reddy, said Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency to counter a nationwide anti-corruption campaign against her Government. It was intended to bury a court case which was going against her. The Allahabad High Court was to pronounce its judgment cancelling her election to the Lok Sabha in the 1971 polls, on a petition filed by Rajnarain, when she recommended the Emergency.

Top leaders including Jayaprakash Narayan (JP), Chandra Shekhar, Morarji Desai, A.B. Vajpayee and L.K. Advani were lodged in jails in those days even as Indira Gandhi announced elections to the Lok Sabha on March 18, 1977. The Janata Party, floated by JP and others, was born in jail and won the elections with a thumping majority. The party convention was held on May 1 after its leaders were released. The convention came up with the party manifesto and also discussed the life of the leaders in jails.

Referring to the talk of Congress leaders about the possible return of Indira Gandhi regime in the country, Mr. Reddy wondered if it would be a return to Emergency days.

The BJP Legislature Party leader, N. Indrasena Reddy, said the spirit of the Constitution was defeated with the clamping of Emergency.

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