Andhra: Jana Sena Party extends support to state bandh called by TDP

Amaravthi (Andhra Pradesh) [India], September 11 : Jana Sena Party (JSP) has extended its support to the state bandh called by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) over the arrest of party chief N Chandrababu Naidu in a corruption case.
A statement issued by JSP chief Pawan Kalyan, accused the ruling party YSRCP of resorting to “anti-social activities” in the state. It further alleged that the YSRCP government in the state is “harassing” the opposition parties.
“The Janasena Party is expressing solidarity with the State Bandh called by the Telugu Desam Party on Monday (11-09-2023) in protest against the arrest of the Leader of the Opposition and the President of the Telugu Desam Party Nara Chandrababu Naidu. Janasena party has already condemned this arrest which is against the spirit of democracy,” the statement said.
Further, it said, “The ruling party is resorting to public anti-social activities by weakening the systems in the state. The YSRCP government is harassing the opposition parties who speak on the side of the people with cases and arrests by the political party.”
The statement also urged the JSP workers to participate “peacefully” in the bandh.
“Janasena has always protested against these undemocratic acts. I request the ranks of Janasena to participate peacefully in tomorrow's bandh,” it added.
The Rajamundry Police has also imposed section 144 in the city limits to maintain law and order in the area.
Earlier on Sunday morning, Naidu was produced before the ACB court.
Chandrababu Naidu was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Saturday in connection to an alleged corruption case.
The case pertains to the establishment of clusters of Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in the state of Andhra Pradesh, with a total estimated project value of Rs 3300 crore, as per the officials.
The agency officials also claimed that the alleged fraud has caused a huge loss to the state government in excess of Rs 300 crores.
As per the CID, the investigation has revealed serious irregularities such as before any expenditure by private entities, the then state government provided an advance of Rs 371 crores, representing the entire 10 per cent commitment by the government.
Most of the money advanced by the government was diverted to shell companies through fake invoices, with no actual delivery or sale of the items mentioned in the invoices, CID officials said.
In its remand report, the CID has said that according to the investigation so far, the total amount spent by private entities on six skill development clusters is sourced exclusively from funds advanced by the Government of AP and AP Skill Development Center, totalling Rs 371 crores.