TDP MP Galla Jayadev flags ‘weaponisation’ of government agencies in Parliament

Later, in a Facebook post, he said that business leaders should be able to take a stand against the government but in India, it risked getting targeted by various agencies.

Also Read: Galla Jayadev announces a break from politics

‘Not easy to sail on two boats’

Participating in a debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, he said, “I have decided not to contest in this general elections. I come from a family that has a legacy of fighting for people but it is not easy to sail on two boats in one go — to be in public life and also to continue as an entrepreneur. So I have decided to give a pause to my political life,” he said.

“Despite stepping aside from electoral politics, my commitment and resolve to serve the nation remains steadfast as I plan to contribute to the development of the country by investing, innovating, creating employment opportunities, and generating revenue and wealth for the nation,” he said, adding that it would be his last speech in Parliament for now.

He said his group of companies is providing jobs to 17,000 people and undertaking various welfare measures for them and their families.

“Business leaders should be part of the political process as they drive economic development. They must have the freedom to express their opinions and, if necessary, take a stand against the #government without fear of reprisals,” he wrote on Facebook.

“In India, they have to navigate the complex approval process and deal with numerous agencies, which can be weaponised by the party in power. Such actions not only defeat the very objective of #EaseOfDoingBusiness, but can also alienate expertise crucial for #economicgrowth and modern administration,” he added.

Jayadev, 57, comes from a political family. His mother Aruna Kumari Galla was a four-time MLA and minister, while his father Ramachandra Naidu Galla founded the Amara Raja Group of companies.

Educated in the US, he lived there for 22 years before returning to India and assuming charge as the managing director of Amara Raja Group, which has a net worth of ₹5,300 crore and manufactures batteries under the Amaron brand name.

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Announcement on taking a break

On 28 January, Jayadev announced that he would take a break from politics and decided not to contest in the upcoming Parliament elections.

Jayadev is currently a Lok Sabha member from Guntur constituency in Andhra Pradesh.

Thanking the people of his constituency, Jayadev said he will, however, continue to serve and contribute to the country’s growth as it is his guiding factor, both personally and professionally.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to not contest in the upcoming 2024 general elections. I will be taking a break from politics to focus on diversifying (my) business, which is at a crucial stage of leading the world in the transition to a more sustainable future,” the TPD Parliamentary Party leader said in a social media post.

Addressing a press conference, Jayadev said that he was questioned twice by the Enforcement Directorate with regard to certain issues after he raised them in Parliament.

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Focus on family business

Galla said that his company, Amara Raja, is moving from being a battery manufacturer to a comprehensive provider of energy and mobility solutions and requires his undivided attention.

In a press statement, he said: “As part of this we are investing about ₹9,500 crore for the Amara Raja Giga Corridor, which will have one of the largest manufacturing facilities of lithium-ion batteries and also a state-of-the-art R&D centre for the research in Advanced Chemistry Cells. This move by Amara Raja will be a crucial enabler for the country’s transition towards clean and sustainable energy.”

The statement continued: “I will, however, continue to serve and contribute to the country’s growth as that is my guiding factor, both personally and professionally. I thank the people of Guntur for their love, affection and wholehearted trust over these years. I hope to come back stronger and represent them and their interests in a more impactful way,” he said on Sunday, 28 January.

Galla also expressed his “heartfelt gratitude” to TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, Nara Lokesh, and the party leadership and cadre.

Galla’s grandfather Paturi Rajagopal Naidu was a freedom fighter, parliamentarian, and social reformer.

(With PTI inputs)