Former CBI Officer to Contest Andhra Polls, Aims to End Family Politics

In a significant political development, VV Lakshmi Narayana, a former IPS officer renowned for his role in the quid-pro-quo case involving YSR Congress chief and current Chief Minister, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, in 2012, has announced his entry into the political arena. Lakshmi Narayana, who previously held the position of CBI Joint Director, has launched the Jai Bharat National Party and is contesting the assembly polls from Visakhapatnam North. The party has set its sights on 15 Lok Sabha seats—10 in Andhra Pradesh (AP) and 5 in neighboring Telangana—and 76 Assembly seats within AP.

Lakshmi Narayana's political venture aims to challenge the dominance of family-run parties in the state, notably the ruling YSR Congress and TDP. He emphasizes his party's commitment to good governance and providing a voice for the people. The former additional DG rank officer outlined his party's focus on wealth creation, employment generation, and welfare with minimal reliance on freebies. "The agenda is to provide good governance and a platform for the people," he stated, highlighting the need for an alternative in Andhra Pradesh's political landscape.

The ex-IPS officer criticized the major political parties in AP for the deteriorating law and order situation, which he believes is a barrier to attracting investments and generating employment opportunities. Lakshminarayana also sees potential in developing the tourism and food processing industries in AP, leveraging the state's extensive coastline and agricultural base to boost economic growth.

On national politics, Lakshminarayana expressed skepticism about the NDA's ambitious goal of securing more than 400 seats. He recalled the India Shining campaign led by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee before the 2004 polls, suggesting that electoral outcomes could be unpredictable. Furthermore, he voiced support for the construction of Ram Mandir and called for efforts towards achieving 'Ram Rajya' for effective governance.

Addressing recent high-profile arrests, including that of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and BRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter in money laundering cases, Lakshminarayana advocated for bringing agencies like ED and CBI under Lok Pal to ensure transparency and accountability. His electoral priorities include securing special category status for AP, halting Steel Plant privatization, establishing a railway zone in Visakhapatnam, and resolving bifurcation issues.

Lakshminarayana had previously contested Lok Sabha polls from Visakhapatnam in 2019 on a Janasena platform but was unsuccessful. Following that experience, he departed from Janasena. The upcoming elections to 175 Assembly seats and 25 Lok Sabha segments in AP are scheduled for May 13, marking a crucial juncture for Lakshminarayana's Jai Bharat National Party as it seeks to establish itself as a viable alternative in the state's political landscape.