Naidu in a Tight Corner

The arrest and 14-day judicial remand of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu in an election year is a severe setback to the main Opposition party in Andhra Pradesh.

- Amarnath K. Menon

Naidu is accused of being the 'principal conspirator' in a case of fraudulent misappropriation of approximately Rs 371 crore belonging to the Andhra Pradesh State Skills Development Corporation (APSSDC). Set up in 2014 during Naidu's tenure as chief minister (2014 to 2019), the APSSDC initiated a project to help unemployed youth by providing them skill training. The allegation is that it was used to siphon off funds from the state exchequer. The Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (APCID), after an extensive probe, has reportedly discovered that Naidu was in the know of the project from the conceptual stage and had a role in the irregularities.

However, the timing of the arrest early on September 9, when Naidu was travelling in Nandyal, and the way he was presented at daybreak the next day before a magistrate for judicial remand has raised eyebrows. The APCID, presenting the remand report, argued there is prima facie evidence that Naidu-he was arraigned in the FIR as the 37th accused-was the chief architect of the offence. It alleged that Naidu and the TDP were the ultimate beneficiaries.