Tollywood veteran producer KS Rama Rao has strongly criticized the recent arrest of Chandrababu Naidu and the political vendetta in Andhra Pradesh led by CM YS Jagan in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Rama Rao pointed out that the people of Andhra Pradesh have similar sentiments toward the BJP as they do toward the Congress, which played a role in the state’s division. He acknowledged that the BJP secured some seats in the 2014 elections thanks to Chandrababu Naidu, the Telugu Desam Party leader, a fact that cannot be denied.
He reminded Modi that Chandrababu, who served as the NDA convener, holds more seniority in politics and leadership than him. Chandrababu’s contributions to the development of Andhra Pradesh have earned him national recognition, even though he had the opportunity to become Prime Minister before Deve Gowda in 1996 but chose to focus on the state’s development and technological progress.
Rama Rao questioned Modi’s role in the current state of Andhra Pradesh, especially after the proposal of a special package in place of the “special status” that the BJP had also supported. He criticized the lack of progress in establishing a capital for the state and accused Modi of forgetting the promises made to the people of Andhra Pradesh.
He emphasized that Chandrababu, despite losing elections, continued to work tirelessly for the state’s development. Rama Rao deemed the midnight arrest of Chandrababu Naidu in the Skill Development Corporation scam, while he was actively campaigning for his party at the age of 73, as unjust and illegal. Chandrababu was not initially named in the case but was later implicated as A-37, and his arrest was portrayed as A-1.
Rama Rao raised concerns about the lack of concrete evidence and the use of Chandrababu’s signatures as evidence in the case. He mentioned that propaganda was being spread about embezzlement, leading people to protest the arrest.
Furthermore, Rama Rao criticized the government for not following the proper procedures for arresting a national-level leader and former chief minister like Chandrababu Naidu. He pointed out that no government in Andhra Pradesh had previously arrested a person of such stature without the permission of the governor or the chief justice of the high court.
He further urged Modi to release Chandrababu and dissolve the government of Jagan, who is a financial criminal. He also asked to impose the President’s rule till the elections are held in Andhra Pradesh. He finished the letter by saying, “Please restore democracy in AP, Modi ji.”
