Chandrababu Naidu seeks intervention of President, PM over ‘extreme conditions’ in Andhra Pradesh

Stating that the 5 crore people of the state were undergoing unprecedented and harrowing times due to the “anti-democratic” and “unconstitutional” acts unleashed from the “unsound mind” of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the TDP national president told both the President and the prime minister that as the Leader of the Opposition, he is drawing their attention to the high degree of alleged mal-governance.

Explaining how Jagan unleashed the “governance of destruction” by demolishing the “Praja Vedika” soon after coming to power, Naidu claimed the chief minister was misusing public money on frivolous cases by moving the judiciary on Amaravati.

The earlier TDP government had chosen Amaravati to be the new capital of bifurcated Andhra Pradesh after the state lost Hyderabad to Telangana, but Jagan and the YSRCP are opposed to the idea.

Meanwhile, Naidu also said in his letter that the state’s bureaucrats were facing the highest number of contempt cases due to the utter disregard displayed by Jagan.

He also told the President and the prime minister how the State Election Commissioner (SEC) and the chairperson of the Public Service Commission had been hounded and that the SEC approached the Centre for security.

Jagan made attempts to undermine the whole electoral process and was forcing the “volunteers” to resort to illegal jobs, Naidu also in the letters.

Related: Jagan a traitor to Rayalseema, says Chandrababu Naidu

TTD and other issues

The chief minister appointed a non-believer of Hindu traditions as the chairman of the Trust Board of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), claimed Naidu, fanning a common dog whistle.

He has done away with the tradition of non-Hindus submitting a declaration, which is mandatory before going for the darshan of Lord Venkateswara, added the TDP chief.

Over 250 incidents of attacks on Hindu temples have been reported in the past four years, while properties belonging to the Wakf Board and churches were being encroached upon, Naidu said in the letters.

Lawlessness was ruling and criminals were having a field day in the state, the TDP supremo said, claiming that ransoms were being paid to the leaders of the ruling party by none other than the family members of a Member of Parliament (MP) — from the same outfit, no less — from Visakhapatnam as recently as in June this year.

Naidu also mentioned the incidents of how a 14-year-old boy named Umanath was burnt alive and how a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) from the YSRCP allegedly murdered his own driver and delivered the body to the family members.

Also read: Andhra bans meetings and rallies on roads; TDP cries foul

Naidu alleges repression

Sane voices were being hounded on social media and through the state machinery, said Naidu.

A 60-year-old woman named P Ranganayaki, who asked 10 questions through social media about the state government’s response to the LG Polymers gas leak incident in 2020, was charged under various Sections of the IPC and IT Act and was jailed, said the TDP supremo, adding that this was a classic example of how critiquing voices were being targeted.

Maintaining that Andhra Pradesh had turned into a major epicentre for drugs and criminals, Naidu said he regretted the drug trade breeding crime in the state.

Marijuana sellers and “blade” gangs were thriving in the state, he said, adding that when the TDP brought this up, its party headquarters office in Mangalagiri was attacked by the YSRCP goons, severely injuring several TDP members.

The 2021-22 report on “Smuggling in India”, released by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, clearly mentioned the state as leading in drug abuse, he noted.

Also read: 8 killed in stampede at TDP roadshow of Chandrababu Naidu

Attacks on TDP and its chief

Naidu also brought up in his letters to the President and the prime minister that the former MP and former minister YS Vivekananda Reddy, the paternal uncle of Jagan, was brutally murdered in his house in Pulivendula in 2019.

He said that though an MP from the ruling party, YS Avinash Reddy, and his father Bhasker Reddy had been established as the accused, Jagan’s modus operandi was to blame the Opposition parties for this using his “own media”.

”As soon as Jagan assumed power, he tried to reduce my security drastically. It was the high court that restored my security cover,” said Naidu, adding that drones were flown over his residence in Undavalli, and that those who were operating the drones were apprehended by security.

Attempts were being made to attack him every time he went on a tour, said the TDP supremo. Even stones were pelted at him several times, while sticks and rods were used to attack the people who were attending his meetings, he added.

Claiming that the police forced him to walk 7 km during the dark night despite he having submitted a tour schedule well in advance, he said that the draconian GO number 1 was brought in to prevent the Opposition parties from holding public meetings.

Chandrababu Naidu explained in detail how he was attacked at Yerragondapalem and Nandigama, in which his chief security officer and the NSG team commander were injured.

Jagan orchestrated a murderous attack on him by goons during his recent visit to various places, said Naidu, adding that the chief minister was resorting to this as he is frightened by the public anger due to the revelation of facts and corrupt deeds of the ruling party leaders in various projects.

“Even on 10 August, Jagan declared he would deprive me of my security, displaying his utter contempt of the high court order which restored my security,” Naidu said.

The TDP chief sought the immediate intervention of both the President and the prime minister to bring Andhra Pradesh back in order in the interest of the well-being of the people, besides ensuring that the rule of law was upheld.

Also read: Violence erupts during Rayalaseema tour of Chandrababu Naidu