I am innocent, says Chandrababu Naidu

Kurnool: Former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Chief N. Chandrababu Naidu criticized the state government, alleging that it is employing suppressive measures against him as he advocates for addressing the issues of common people. Prior to being taken into custody in Nandyal on Saturday and subsequently shifted to Vijayawada, Naidu addressed the media and expressed his concern that CID teams had not disclosed any details regarding his arrest, creating tension in the area since midnight on Friday.

Naidu emphasized that everyone, including ordinary citizens, has the right to know why they are being arrested. He criticized the police for not providing any information and stated that lack of transparency was causing fear among party members. Naidu asserted that he has been advocating for the concerns of the public for the past 4.5 years.

Upon his request, the CID shifted him to Vijayawada in his own vehicle from Nandyal. He maintained his innocence, asking the police for any evidence supporting his arrest, as nothing substantial had been presented so far. Naidu called for calm among the people and his party cadre, hoping that the truth would prevail. He argued that there was no basis for his custody, as there was nothing in the First Information Report to justify it.

The police filed multiple cases against Chandrababu Naidu under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 166, 167, 418, 420, 465, 468, 471, 409, 201, 109 read with 120b IPC, 13(2) read with 13(1) ( C ), read with 13 (1) (D) specifically relating to case 29/2021 as part of economic offenses. Local party leaders were also detained before Naidu's arrest, and police forces from various districts, including Anantapur and Kurnool, were deployed to Nandyal as a preventive measure. As part of these precautions, RTC buses were confined to depots at several locations.