The arrest that changed Andhra Pradesh politics

Amaravati: Politics in Andhra Pradesh took a sudden turn three years ago when TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu was arrested by the YSRCP government led by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.

My very first reaction was that this would be the beginning of the end of the YSRCP government in the State. Many did not agree with me and felt that I was being partisan towards the TDP. But ultimately, my prediction proved correct.

As one who closely monitored the developments right from the time he was arrested until his release 53 days later, I can say with certainty that it was a major ordeal that he had to undergo and that he was subjected to many hardships. Though he was a VIP prisoner in judicial custody and was entitled to certain privileges, he was denied many of them. No hot water was provided for his bath; even mosquito repellent was not given, and he was not allowed to bring his medicines from home. Even a mulakat with family members was not an easy task.

All his appeals for bail were rejected by the lower courts.

But why was he arrested? Naidu was arrested on September 9, 2023, in Nandyal in connection with the alleged skill development corporation scam. Police officers did not even produce an arrest warrant at the time of his arrest. He was made to travel in a rickety vehicle throughout the day from Nandyal to Vijayawada and was later sent to Rajahmundry jail.

The TDP and other political parties felt that this was nothing but a political vendetta unleashed by the YSRCP government. It may be recalled that earlier, YSRCP members used to insult him in the Assembly and even made highly disparaging and condemnable remarks against his wife.

His arrest triggered widespread protests across the State and became the main political flashpoint for the 2024 Assembly elections. In fact, politics took another major turn when Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan met Naidu in jail and, soon after coming out, announced an alliance with the TDP. This gave greater energy and vigour to the rank and file of the TDP. They later went to the polls with the slogan, “Nijam Gelichindi” (Truth has prevailed).

The general expectation was that soon after coming back to power, Naidu would respond with revenge. But Naidu said politics should not be reduced to a cycle of retaliation. He said the law would take its own course and laid emphasis on good governance and putting the State on the fast track of development with the help of the Centre.

His latest recollection also brings into focus the larger issue of the use of investigative agencies and the criminal justice system in political disputes. While no politician should be above the law and legitimate investigations must be pursued, political parties have often been accused of selectively targeting their opponents.

Though some in the party still feel that the government has been lenient towards Jagan, Naidu feels that the need of the hour was to restore all institutions and put the State back on the track of development, which had gone for a toss during the previous regime. However, Naidu feels that his jail experience will always remain an important chapter of his political career and that it taught him many things.

Three years after his arrest, Naidu’s political test is not merely how he remembers the ordeal, but how he responds to it in power. The TDP-led NDA government would certainly keep recalling this during its campaign in the run-up to the 2029 general elections.

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The Hans India