*Botsa Slams ‘Police Raj’, vows fight to Defend Constitution*

Tadepalli, August 15: Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Botsa Satyanarayana said the spirit of Independence was being undermined in Andhra Pradesh, with the State witnessing a “police raj” in which opposition parties and citizens questioning the government were being targeted through cases and notices.

After hoisting the National Flag at the YSRCP Central Office in Tadepalli on Independence Day, Botsa said suppressing dissent and viewing welfare schemes through a political lens were contrary to democratic and constitutional values. Freedom, free speech and equality, he said, were fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution framed under Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and were not gifts bestowed by any Chief Minister.

He said democracy did not end with elections and could be meaningful only when people were free to question those in power, dissenting voices were protected and welfare reached every eligible citizen irrespective of political affiliation.

Botsa said real development was not merely about concrete buildings and roads. True freedom would be achieved when the poor had access to free education and quality healthcare, farmers had security, women were safe and youth had employment opportunities.

He reminded the government that political power was temporary, while democracy and the Constitution were permanent, and said the police must serve the people rather than the interests of the ruling party. He reaffirmed that under the leadership of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, YSRCP would continue its uncompromising struggle for people’s rights and protection of the Constitution.

MLCs Lella Appi Reddy and Murugudu Hanumantha Rao, MLA Matsyalingam and several party leaders participated in the Independence Day programme.