'CM Jagan Reddy Is Political Criminal': TDP Says Chandrababu Naidu Jailed Under 'Political Conspiracy'

TDP leader Buchaiah Chowdary has called Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy a "political criminal" and alleged that N Chandrababu Naidu was put into jail in an "illegal" manner.

Amid an outcry by the workers of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) over the arrest and judicial custody of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, party leader Buchaiah Chowdary has claimed that Naidu was arrested under a "political controversy". He came heavily on CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and said that he is a "political criminal". This comes a day after a protest by TDP workers turned violent in the West Godavari region. The workers burnt tyres and vandalised buses demanding the release of the former CM.

CM N Chandrababu Naidu was sent to judicial custody till September 23 in connection with the Skill Development Corporation case by a Vijayawada Anti-Corruption Bureau court on Sunday. 

"...There is no illegal activity in the process. Still, they sent him (N Chandrababu Naidu) to jail...They sent him to jail under a political conspiracy. Jagan Mohan Reddy is a political criminal...It (case) is not maintainable. He may get bail anytime. It is illegal. People are with Chandrababu. Everybody knows that he is an honest person..." TDP leader Buchaiah Chowdary said.

The Crime Investigation Department (CID) arrested TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu citing alleged non-cooperation during questioning and vague responses from the former Chief Minister, as per PTI.

 

Put In Jail Intentionally, Says Son. Mamata Calls It 'Political Vendetta'

N Lokesh, son of N Chandrababu Naidu and TDP General Secretary meanwhile, referred to the arrest and judicial custody as just a "speed breaker" in the party's history of facing crises. He talked to reporters in Rajamahendravaram, where Naidu is currently in detention, stating that his father's ongoing 'padayatra' (foot march) would be temporarily suspended and resumed once pending issues are resolved.

"Crisis is nothing new to TDP. We have seen many in the past. We even had confrontations with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. This is just a speed bump for us," Lokesh remarked in response to a reporter's inquiry, as reported by news agency PTI.

On the other hand, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday lashed out at the Centre after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee in connection with the school recruitment scam and former Andhra CM Nara Chandrababu Naidu was arrested. She called these actions as "political vendetta" against parties, news agency PTI reported.

"Abhishek Banerjee is being unnecessarily harassed. Likewise, N Chandrababu Naidu was arrested which is not at all appreciable. There should not be vindictiveness, it might boomerang as well," CM Banerjee stated.