Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu criticized his predecessor, former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, for targeting political opponents by registering police cases against them. Presenting a White Paper on the law and order situation during the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) rule in the state assembly, Naidu highlighted that almost 80% of the MLAs had cases filed against them during the previous government. This claim was supported by a significant number of MLAs standing up in the assembly when Naidu asked those who had been booked to stand.
Among those who stood up were Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Human Resources Development Minister Nara Lokesh. One woman MLA mentioned she had seven cases filed against her. Naidu remarked that despite Jagan Mohan Reddy’s efforts to imprison his political opponents, the people had elected them to the assembly.
Watch: Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu asks, "During the YCP government's rule, those with cases against them should stand up." Most of the MLAs stood up in the assembly pic.twitter.com/HqIHs0pkfL
— IANS (@ians_india) July 25, 2024
Naidu accused Jagan Mohan Reddy of filing 60 cases against TDP leader J. C. Prabhakar Reddy and using the SC/ST Atrocities Act to file cases against current Home Minister Anitha Vangalapudi and Speaker Ayyanna Patrudu. He also alleged that Jagan Mohan Reddy derived sadistic pleasure from watching a video of the torture of then MP Raghurama Krishna Raju in lock-up.
Naidu stated that 17 cases were filed against him after Jagan Reddy came to power, and seven cases were filed against Pawan Kalyan. He vowed to make Andhra Pradesh the leading state in terms of law and order and promised to review all politically motivated cases, ensuring those who registered illegal cases would be punished.
He accused YSRCP leaders, with police support, of undermining democracy and claimed that people suffered both physical and mental trauma under the YSRCP rule. Naidu agreed to Pawan Kalyan’s suggestion for another session to thoroughly discuss law and order issues. He also advised NDA members to avoid causing trouble for the government and emphasized that anyone disturbing peace and law and order would be punished.
Naidu stressed that law and order could be maintained if officials performed their duties according to the law. He assured the assembly that a separate wing would be created in the police department to monitor social media, warning that those posting derogatory content about women would face strict action.