Andhra Pradesh's ruling party, YSRCP, and Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy are 'using' the cases via-a-vis Chandrababu Naidu against BJP : Amit Shah tells Chandrababu's son Nara Lokesh
It can be a case of a concerned Union Home Minister about a former Chief Minister who is behind bars and reportedly in the same premises where ex-Naxalites are jailed. It could be a typical BJP Neta meeting a regional partner leader who can fetch in political dividends to the saffron party --- in two states Telangana where state assembly polls are fast approaching and also in Andhra Pradesh during parliamentary polls and state assembly polls next year.
Nevertheless, the key takeaway is the BJP leader G Kishan Reddy or for that matter Amit Shah himself made an 'outreach effort'. Reddy dialed Nara Lokesh, Chandrababu's son and former state Minister, to convey that Shah wanted to meet him and get briefing in detailed on the status of cases ete etc.
Nara Lokesh tweeted on X to say, "Met with the Hon’ble Union Home Minister @AmitShah Ji and apprised him of the blatant misuse of state machinery by YSRCP Govt in Andhra Pradesh, the regime revenge against Hon’ble N Chandrababu Naidu @ncbn Garu, and the appalling condition in which he has been lodged in prison where his life is under threat."
Lokesh used the hashtag -- #FalseCasesAgainstNaidu
In the meeting Shah was briefed in details about various legal matters including 'fake cases'.
"We did not discuss anything political....But I must be fair to tell you that Amit bhai gave a patient hearing and also enquired about TDP chief and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's health," Lokesh told a select group of journalists in the capital on Thursday.
Shah wanted to "understand details", Lokesh said adding the Home Minister in his 15-minutes meeting also sought "Finer details" on who have been the judges dealing with the matters at different stages.
At one point during the deliberations (on Wednesday late evening) in presence of G Kishan Reddy, BJP Telangana chief, and BJP's Andhra Pradesh unit president D Purandeswari, who is sister-in-law of Chandrababu Naidu, the Home Minister told Lokesh: "The YSRCP and Jagan Reddy are using these cases on Naidu to blame us (..BJP)".
Shah also advised Lokesh to be "be strong" at this challenging times.
The issue of "Political vendetta" figured prominently.
How could charges of corruption come down from over Rs 3700 crore to Rs 370 crore and now even Rs 27 crore.
To a question, Lokesh said, "I want the centre and Shah to support...what's right".
It is understood Shah has also sought report from Andhra Pradesh state and reportedly the state Governor also met state CID officials.
Lokesh elaborately explained to Amit Shah ji about the vindictiveness of the state government and leaders at the helm of affairs. Now those who blame the Centre need to reply as to why Amit Shah ji would give an appointment to Lokesh if the BJP was behind the arrest!
The message from Ms Daggubati Purandeswari on X makes things more interesting but also a bit complex.
"Lokesh elaborately explained to Amit Shah ji about the vindictiveness of the state government and leaders at the helm of affairs. Now those who blame the Centre need to reply as to why Amit Shah ji would give an appointment to Lokesh if the BJP was behind the arrest," she wrote.
There is a context to this. One YSRCP leader claimed Chandrababu's arrest was done at the directives of the centre or BJP leaders in the centre. Making the issue more complicated, YSRCP chief and Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy said he personally did not know about the case in details as he was 'abroad'. However, the YSRCP leaders are actually unable to explain it effectively why and how state CID (otherwise responsible for probing criminal cases come into action). The case related to Naidu had originally reached Andhra Pradesh's Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB).
The issue of vindictive politics and 17(A) :
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Andhra Pradesh government, contended before a bench comprising justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi that there was no “political vendetta” as alleged by Naidu.
The CID, in its remand report, alleged that Naidu "indulged in a criminal conspiracy with the intention of fraudulent misappropriation or otherwise conversion of government funds for his own use, disposal of property which was under the control of a public servant, besides engaging in cheating, forging documents and destroying evidence".
Section 17A was introduced by an amendment with effect from July 26, 2018, and the provision stipulates a mandatory requirement for a police officer to seek prior approval from the competent authority (Governor in case of a former CM) for conducting any enquiry or inquiry or investigation into any offence alleged to have been committed by a public servant under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act). TDP sources believe the court hearings on Oct 13 vis-a-vis Chandrababu case and provisions of Section 17A would be very crucial and could turn out as a landmark verdict too.
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