Former MP from Vijayawada Lagadapati Rajagopal, who had created a storm by using pepper spray in Parliament, attacked the Congress saying it would face the consequences of trying to “bulldoze and kill democracy” by hastily passing the Telangana Bill in Lok Sabha.
“You will see in the elections (Congress will do badly), when you try to bulldoze and kill democracy (what happens),” he told.
Rajagopal, an expelled member of Congress, resigned from Parliament and announced to quit politics in February this year, saying he was hurt as Telugu people have been divided following the passage of Telangana Bill in Lok Sabha.
When asked if he regretted the decision to quit politics, he said, “Not at all. It was a conscious decision.”
Rajagopal said while he does not justify his pepper spray episode, it certainly highlighted the manner in which the Telangana Bill was pushed through by the Government.
“I was not looking for appreciation for me,” he said, adding, he is happy that most people understood why he did so.
The former MP said he had “succeeded” in projecting the government’s “haste” in rushing though the Bill and how it was passed by bulldozing.
On supporting former Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, who quit the Congress and formed Jai Samaikyandhra Party (JSP), Rajagopal said it was “moral and personal commitment” as he (Reddy) had given up power for a cause, adding, he is neither a member nor holds any position in JSP. His support is until the elections.
The industrialist-turned-politician, who is known for his inimitable style of poll campaigning, is out of electioneering process having declared political “sanyas” (renunciation), but is in the thick of action wearing the hat of a psephologist.
Rajagopal last evening released the findings of a political survey he conducted in the past one month, predicts a majority for TRS and TDP-BJP combine, in Telangana and Seemandhra, respectively.
He said in the past he used to convey findings of his survey, conducted before elections, to the Congress’ leadership but added that he does not want to share his projections in public this time as “they would feel bad”.
On being asked if he would return to politics, Rajagopal said, “Congress is responsible for my political birth and death. I don’t believe in reincarnation.” He, however, said that he would take a call on his next move after election results are announced on May 16.
“Let the election results sink in; I will decide,” he added.
