In a dramatic turn of events, N. Chandrababu Naidu, the chief of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, found himself in police custody today. The arrest is related to allegations of corruption amounting to 317 crore rupees in the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation during his tenure. As the sun rose, Naidu was taken into custody by officers of the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department, following a midnight confrontation.
The alleged scam revolves around the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation, established during the rule of the Telugu Desam Party to provide skill training to youngsters in the state. The arrest warrant was served to Naidu late last night at a function hall in Nandyal. However, the situation escalated as Naidu’s supporters protested vehemently, leading to a minor scuffle between the police and his supporters.
N. Chandrababu Naidu questioned the basis of his arrest, asserting that there was no concrete evidence against him. He demanded to see where his name was implicated and criticized the arrest without substantial proof. In response, the police maintained that they possessed the necessary evidence and that the remand report contained all the details.
According to a notice served to Naidu by senior officer M. Dhanunjayudu of the CID’s Economic Offences Wing, he was arrested at 6 AM at R K Function Hall in Gnanapuram, Nandyala town. The charges brought against him include criminal conspiracy, cheating, dishonestly inducing delivery of property, and violations of the Prevention of Corruption Act. These charges make it a non-bailable offence.
Following his arrest, Naidu posted a defiant message on his official social media account, expressing his unwavering commitment to serving the people of Andhra Pradesh. He stated, “For the past 45 years, I have selflessly served Telugu people. I am prepared to sacrifice my life to safeguard the interests of Telugu people. No force on earth can stop me from serving Telugu people, my #AndhraPradesh, and my motherland.”
Naidu’s arrest comes just days after he publicly claimed that he could be arrested in the near future, further stating that he might face attacks and atrocities. The political landscape in Andhra Pradesh is undoubtedly tense, and Naidu’s arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing political drama in the state.
