N. Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has announced a state-wide bandh (strike) in Andhra Pradesh to protest against the arrest of the former chief minister.
The arrest is related to a case involving alleged misappropriation of government funds within the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation. In a show of support, Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party (JSP) has also extended its backing for the state-wide bandh.
Chandrababu Naidu was arrested and subsequently sent to 14 days in judicial custody on Sunday, following his detention in connection with the corruption case. The bandh is expected to affect various aspects of daily life and business activities in the state as a form of protest against the arrest and perceived political issues.
Latest information on the bandh call in Andhra Pradesh:
1. K. Atchannaidu, the President of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh, has issued a statement urging party members, the general public, and civil society to actively participate in the agitation and ensure its success.
2. Former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has been remanded in judicial custody for 14 days by a local court in Vijayawada. His arrest is related to an alleged multi-crore corruption scam involving the misappropriation of funds from the Skill Development Corporation, resulting in a loss of ₹300 crore to the state government, according to Andhra Pradesh CID chief N. Sanjay.
3. Pawan Kalyan, the chief of the Jana Sena Party (JSP), has accused the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of engaging in “anti-social activities” in Andhra Pradesh. He further alleged that the YSRCP government in the state is “harassing” opposition parties. In a statement, Kalyan has called on JSP workers to participate in the bandh in a peaceful manner.
4. Chandrababu Naidu has been transferred to Rajahmundry Central Prison after being remanded to 14 days of judicial custody. Heavy police security has been deployed at the jail in preparation for the former chief minister’s remand.
5. A significant number of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) workers gathered at the Vijayawada court premises as police officials transported the TDP chief to the central jail. Section 144 has been imposed by the Rajamundry Police within the city limits to maintain law and order in the area.
6. Chandrababu Naidu’s judicial custody has been extended until September 23 by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court in Vijayawada.
7. During his two-week stay in jail, the court granted Naidu certain amenities, including home-cooked food, medication, and access to a special room.
8. Following the arrest of their leader, supporters of the TDP expressed their distress and staged a hunger strike in Visakhapatnam.
9. The Crime Investigation Department (CID) mentioned in its remand report that Chandrababu Naidu was described as “non-cooperative” during the interrogation. Despite arranging a helicopter for him to travel from Nandyal, where he was arrested, to Vijayawada, Naidu declined and instead drove to the city. During his journey, his convoy was reportedly obstructed by an angry Telugu Desam Party (TDP) cadre at several instances.
10. According to the CID, their investigation has uncovered significant irregularities. It was found that prior to any expenditure by private entities, the state government had provided an advance of ₹371 crore, representing the entire 10 percent commitment by the government. Most of the funds advanced by the government were allegedly diverted to shell companies through fake invoices, with no actual delivery or sale of the items mentioned in these invoices, according to CID officials.
