CM Jagan Reddy, Who Called Chandrababu Naidu Scam Kingpin, Now Says Has 'No Grudge' Against Him

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy appeared to soften his tone against Chandrababu Naidu and said his arrest was not a result of revenge politics.

TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu and Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Reddy

After repeated attacks on Chandrababu Naidu over the alleged skill development corporation scam, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy appeared to soften his tone on Monday as he said he had “no grudge” against the TDP chief and blamed the Centre for his arrest.

Addressing a meeting of YSRCP leaders, Reddy underscored that he had nothing to do with the arrest of Naidu, and said he was in London during the incident. "I don't hold any grudge against N Chandrababu Naidu. His arrest was not a result of revenge politics. He was arrested by the police when I was in London, not in India," Reddy said.

Naidu is currently lodged in the Rajamahendravaram Central Prison for his alleged involvement in the Skill Development Corporation scam, which resulted in a purported loss of over Rs 300 crore to the exchequer.

Seeking to pin blame on the Centre for Naidu's arrest, Reddy pointed out that central agencies — ED and Income Tax department — had probed the allegations against the former CM and made the arrests.

Further, Reddy said Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself had made corruption charges against Naidu.

Jagan Reddy U-Turn

Reddy's remark dragging the BJP into the scene comes at a time when Naidu has been trying to rejoin the NDA. On the other hand, the BJP has warmed up to YSRCP, with the party giving support to the Centre in backing key bills in Parliament.

Just weeks ago, Reddy had called Naidu the "actor and architect" of the skill development corporation scam. In his first remarks on Naidu's arrest, Reddy had also mentioned the role of state government agencies.

"Not just state government agencies but also the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested those involved in this skill development case...the person who orchestrated this scam is Chandrababu Naidu," PTI had quoted Reddy as saying.

Previously too, Reddy has not shied away from attacking Naidu over the case and said the TDP supremo was a "master in scamming people".

"In the name of providing skills to students, the TDP supremo looted the exchequer. Chandrababu Naidu is a master in scamming people. A sum of Rs 371 crore was diverted through shell companies," Reddy had said during the Assembly Budget session.

The stark change in Reddy's stance has led the TDP to question the state's law and order.

"This shows that after failing to prove anything concrete against Chandrababu Naidu over the last 30 days, Jagan has finally concluded that this is nothing but a blunder and now he realises that maybe it is too late for him to regret his decision," a source in the TDP said.