TIRUPATI: A new outfit, Andhra Pradesh Joint Action Council (AP JAC), was formed here on Sunday, involving various associations representing government employees, teachers, and pensioners.
Andhra Pradesh Revenue Association president Bopparaju Venkateswarlu was unanimously elected president of the new body.
Moments after the election concluded, employees burst crackers and flooded the new leader with garlands. The Revenue Bhavan at Balaji Colony, which was the venue for the meeting, was abuzz with activity right from morning.
Though the decision was taken after protracted meetings, the announcement was made in the evening because of astrological considerations.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Venkateswarlu announced that the JAC was not against anybody. It was formed with the genuine aspirations of the member-associations to have a new forum with enough freedom and positive working atmosphere. He claimed the support of 73 associations of government employees (divided department-wise, cadre-wise, and social category-wise). He appealed to the existing leaders not to vitiate the atmosphere by threatening those siding with him. Rubbishing the claim that the YSR Congress was behind the split in the AP JAC, he called it a rumour floated by his detractors.
Mr. Venkateswarlu questioned how he could negotiate with the government and get so many orders passed in the interest of the employees had he been supported by the Opposition.
Mr. Venkateswarlu listed the initiatives taken by him in the last three years with the active support of the government.
He also denied the charge that he was angling for an MLC seat.
