N Chandrababu Naidu , former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and Telugu Desam Party president alleged that the YSR Congress Party led by the CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy was resorting to massive phone tapping in order to perpetuate and impose their ‘Jungle Raj’ on all sections of the people in the State.
Raising such concerns, Mr Naidu urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to order an enquiry into the alleged massive tapping of phones matter in Andhra Pradesh by a competent authority of the Government of India. The Central government should take rigorous action to prevent the party of Jagan Reddy, Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party and some private individuals from resorting to indulge in such illegal activities that pose a threat to national security.
The TDP chief said in a letter to PM Modi that the ruling party in Andhra Pradesh and private individuals were using sophisticated technology and illegal software to tap the phones belonging to the Opposition leaders, advocates, journalists and social activists. This was a violation of the Articles 19 and 21 that gives fundamental rights of citizens.
The ruling YSRCP party was using illegal strategy to protect and preserve its power by intimidating and blackmailing the opponents and dissenting their voices. These illegal activities posing a serious threat to the right to privacy in the State.
Chandrababu Naidu told PM that even they were using the cutting edge technology and equipment to unlawfully tap the phones. If these activities were not put to an end, then they may proliferate and emerge as a huge threat to national security and sovereignty of the country as a whole.
If those who are involved such as Governments and private persons in illegal activities not restrained immediately, then they would attack and undermine the democratic institutions that were built over decades of hard work in the country.
Also stated that the ruling party, YSRCP was already misusing its power to destroy the institutions, Naidu deplored that the systematic efforts were being made to deny the fundamental rights and perpetuate oppression. As a result, the overall administration came off the track in AP due to ongoing attacks in investments and pro-people policies.
According to the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (Sec 5 (2)) and Information Technology Act 2000 (Sec 69), phone tapping is to be strictly used only in times of a threat to national security or the country’s sovereignty or to national integration or when friendly relations with foreign countries are under threat.
Many Constitutional institutions in Andhra Pradesh were under attack since the YSRCP came to power. Systematic attacks were being made on the State Election Commission, AP Public Service Commission and some other institutions. Threats were being given to Opposing party leaders, advocates, media, social activists and all those who raised a dissenting voice against the ruling party’s excesses, Naidu said.
