Irked Naidu protests over 'selective' IT raids

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu staged a protest in front of Ambedkar statue at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram here on Friday against the alleged harassment of TDP leaders by central government in the form of IT raids. He alleged that the Modi government colluded with YSRC leader Jaganmohan Reddy and resorted to vindictive measures against TDP leaders.

IT Department raided Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanms (TTD) Chairman Putta Sudhakar Yadav. After that on Friday, searches were made in the properties belonging to TDP MP CM Ramesh at Potladurti village in Kadapa. The police then searched the homes of C M Ramesh’s supporters.

“It is time for us to go out for campaigning. The selective raids made on TDP leaders are affecting our electioneering,” Ramesh said. He alleged that the police had no search warrant with them.

Naidu was upset because this is the second such raid on the assets of TDP leaders both in the crucial Kadapa district.

As a mark of protest, the chief minister released black balloons with photos of Modi and Jagan into air at the Ambedkar statue. He said he launched to save democracy and save the constitution campaign to protect democracy. Opponents in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh have been harassed in a similar fashion. The Chief Minister warned Modi not to interfere in AP politics.

Condemning the IT raids, the Chief Minister said that IT officials should not dance to the tunes of Modi as it is an autonomous institution. "The comments of senior BJP leader Advani are true in this case. All those who oppose BJP are not anti-national," he said.