VISHAKHAPATNAM: After winning MLC elections in Vizag city, TD had claimed that the city was looking up to the party. Party chief N. Chandrababu launched Vision 2047 on the beach road on Independence Day and tried to reach out to the people here.
However, after his arrest, the city residents were busy with their everyday chores and did not launch any agitations in protest or in his support.
Meanwhile, in Arilova TD supporters did protest and police arrested around 100 of them while 14 protestors were arrested in Maddilapalem.
Although NTR statues abound in many colonies, where BPL families live, the local residents did not react to the news. It should be noted that most of them are beneficiaries of government schemes.
Meanwhile, leaders from the YSRC and the TD were engaged in a war of words over the arrest.
In her reaction, minister for health Vidudala Rajini said, “Arrest is a necessary consequence. Naidu looted government money. This is not the first arrest in the skill development scam. There have been many arrests in the past and Naidu was aware of each and every aspect of the scam.”
Education minister Botsa Satyanarayana said “The YSRC government came to realise the manipulations done in the name of skill development. Naidu’s arrest was constitutional and legal. He claims he is like fire. Let him prove that during the investigation. He was arrested because he was corrupt.”
Deputy chief minister Budi Mutyala Naidu said, “This proves that Naidu used his intelligence for corrupt practices. His party leaders should refrain from throwing mud at the YSRC government.”
Many ruling party corporators from Visakhapatnam east constituency welcomed the arrest of the former chief minister in the skill development scam. They told reporters that former minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao, many TDP leaders, MLAs and former MLAs have been taken into custody.
TD leader and former minister Kondru Murali Mohan said “Today is a dark day for the people of Andhra Pradesh. We condemn Naidu’s arrest. Only Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy can stoop down to such unrighteous and outrageous actions.”
TD MLC Vepada Chiranjeevi Rao said “Jagan Mohan Reddy gave the entire script before going to London. It is despicable that even basic norms were not followed while arresting a former chief minister.”
