Naidu cannot take action against Jagan Mohan Reddy without mentioning Adani, and subsequently ruffling the BJP feathers.
Published Jan 04, 2025 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 04, 2025 | 8:00 AM
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said there was no evidence to prove that the Adani Group had bribed the previous government in connection with a deal involving Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
US prosecutors had indicted the Adani Group of paying ₹1,750 crore to the previous dispensation headed by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in Andhra Pradesh after the state government remained reluctant to enter into a power purchase agreement with SECI.
Speaking to reporters in Vijayawada on Friday, 3 January, Naidu said he did not initiate action against Jagan since he was not vindictive. He dodged a direct reply on whether he would take action.
“The allegations against Jagan Mohan Reddy that he had taken bribes presented a golden opportunity to me to take action against him. But I did not, because I do not believe in wreaking political vendetta. Had arresting Jagan Mohan Reddy alone been my agenda, I would have taken full advantage of the development.” he said.
“If we cancel the agreement, we will have to pay a penalty. We cannot take any action at this stage. We need specific evidence,” he added.
Naidu softening his stand on the issue has been viewed as a result of political compulsion.
A TDP leader from the East Godavari district said Naidu knew that he could not show Jagan Mohan Reddy as the culprit without speaking about Adani.
“If he does he would be ruffling the feathers of the BJP leadership which he does not want to risk,” he said.
Another leader from Krishna district said that the party was now in a helpless situation, though it had opposed the deal with Adani when the TDP was in Opposition in 2021.
“We argued that the agreement would burden thousands of crores of rupees on the people for 25 years. Now we are in a helpless situation. We cannot bypass the BJP and cancel the agreement. We are a state steeped in debt,” he said.
“Without the Centre’s help, we cannot survive for long. Major projects like Polavaram would take a backseat if there were no funds. Considering all these factors, we have decided to continue the agreements between the state government and SECI.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
