Jagan’s arrest for my revenge will not benefit people in any way, says Andhra CM Naidu

Describing his arrest in the alleged ₹371-crore APSDC scandal case and spending 53 days in prison as the most traumatic episode of his life, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said that he would not take revenge against YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy by arresting him as such an action would not serve any benefit to the people.

Wednesday marked three years since his arrest on September 9, 2023.

“The court scrapped the APSDC scandal case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) concluded that there was no case. The arrest happened because of an insane person,” Mr, Naidu said while addressing the gathering during the ‘Mee Bhumi – Mee Hakku’ programme in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district.

“During my entire political journey spanning five decades, including 31 years as the Chief Minister, many moved the courts against me. None of their charges was proved. This is a testament to my commitment,” he said, adding that he was still being criticised in many quarters for not taking revenge against Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy. 

“I can arrest Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy within a minute. But it will not benefit the people in any way. I do not wish to create any disturbance in the State,” he said.  

The Chief Minister said that he was scared of no one. “I was attacked in Tirupati in 2003. I had dealt with religious tensions in Hyderabad and prevented factionalism in Rayalaseema. Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy lacks democratic spirit, said Mr. Naidu. 

Prior to the 2019 Assembly elections, former MP and Mr. Jagan’s paternal uncle Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy was axed to death. His daughter, Dr. Suneetha, demanded a post-mortem. Had I arrested all the accused in that murder case, there would not have been any destruction in the State after 2019. The State had witnessed more damage between 2019 and 2024 than what we lost due to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh,” Mr. Naidu said.

Change of the contracting agency for the construction of the Polavaram project was one such destructive idea that caused delay in commissioning of the project, he added. 

CBI probe on DSC

Referring to the allegations over 2024 DSC recruitment for teacher posts, Mr. Naidu said, “The court observed that there were no facts in the allegations. Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who never attends Assembly sessions, now wants a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). We had conducted 14 DSC recruitments despite the opposition party moved the court 355 times.”

“I am now aggressive towards achieving economic equality and better living standards and a happy life in the State,” said Mr. Naidu.