“They arrested Chandrababu just to brand him as corrupt politician”: TDP spokesperson hits out at Andhra Govt

Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) [India]: After former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was arrested in an alleged skill development scam case, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) spokesperson Kommareddy Pattabhiram accused the ruling Jagan Mohan Reddy government of trying to brand Naidu as a “corrupt politician” through the recent development.

Further, coming down heavily on Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) chief and CM of the state, Kommareddy Pattabhiram called Jagan Mohan Reddy the most “corrupt politician” in the entire country.

“For the past two years, the skill development case drama has been going on and just before the elections, they have carried out this arrest just to brand Chandrababu Naidu as some kind of a corrupt politician…People know that it is Jagan Mohan Reddy who is the most corrupt politician in the entire country…” he said while speaking to media.

He further alleged that the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID) started the process of arresting Chandrababu Naidu “illegally”.

“From yesterday night the Andhra Pradesh Police and CID started the process of illegally arresting Chandrababu Naidu. Hundreds of policemen gathered outside the campsite of Chandrababu Naidu…They have illegally detained all the leaders who were staying at the campsite with Chandrababu Naidu…Chandrababu Naidu came out of the bus and asked a simple question ‘What grounds are you arresting me?’…The police had no answer…” he claimed.

The TDP chief was taken into custody by the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID), in connection with alleged in the skill development scam case. A First Information Report (FIR) in the case was lodged in 2021.

As police arrived early this morning to arrest the TDP Chief, they faced resistance from TDP cadres. A minor scuffle also broke out between officials and Naidu’s supporters during his arrest.

Naidu has been named as accused number 1 in the case, which involves over Rs 250 crore.
Details of the FIR and other details were provided to Naidu’s advocates, who also demanded prima facie evidence, pointing out that the former chief minister’s name was not mentioned in the FIR report.

The former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister has been charged under sections for criminal conspiracy, cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.

However, Naidu said that the CID made the arrest without any proper information and that they refused to show him evidence.

Talking to media persons ahead of police taking him into custody, Naidu said, I did not commit any malpractice or corruption. CID arrested me without any proper information and I asked them to show the evidence but they refused to show and attached my name to the FIR without my role.”