Chandrababu Naidu stops CBI in Andhra. What do you fear Mr Naidu?

The Andhra Pradesh government of Chandrababu Naidu has made a sensational decision to deny CBI the power to investigate in the state without the government’s consent. The AP government has withdrawn its ‘consent’ orders to facilitate the entry of the CBI in the state. The latest order has been issued after modifying the previously given consent notification for the CBI. Except for Delhi, all the other states will have to give a general consent to the CBI to use its powers. However, the AP government has said that the consent given to the CBI to investigate and probe in the state without prior permission stands cancelled.

Furthermore, the CBI now will not have the power to even prosecute employees of the Central Government and Central Public Sector Undertakings in Andhra Pradesh. Only the ACB, which is under the government has the power to investigate the state and central government employees working in the state. This decision, taken by Chandrababu Naidu government has raised several suspicions.

Despite the fact that the CBI is undergoing an internal turmoil, there is considerable criticism for this unilateral decision taken by Chandrababu Naidu. Many experts have expressed doubts about the legality of this order. When the central government agencies investigated his followers, the same Chandrababu Naidu was crying hoarse saying that democracy and federalism in the country are in danger. But today he has unilaterally taken the decision to refuse CBI to investigate when many close to him are under the scanner for corruption..

Opposition parties are directly accusing Chandrababu Naidu of trying to keep the CBI away to save himself and his cronies from investigation in cases of corruption. Hence this decision to curtail CBI in the state, many opposition leaders say.

Even common people from Andhra have been asking Naidu as to what action he has taken against those in his government and close to him who were involved in massive corruption cases. Users on Social Media questioned CB Naidu on his silence over corruption cases involving those close to him. Analysts believe that since the government issued the order to restrict CBI in the state without providing adequate reason, this only points to a larger conspiracy.

With this order, the CBI which was investigating and conducting searches at Income Tax offices, Ports, Post Offices, Central Excise, Telephone Offices etc, can now continue only after the state government provides its consent, which is highly unlikely. The ACB of the state is touted to take over some of the cases handled by the CBI. It is now alleged that the ACB will now go after all those state and central government employees who co-operated and provided information related to corruption cases in Andhra Pradesh to the CBI.

Legal experts opine that since CBI has the powers to investigate cases reported to it from anywhere in the country as per the Prevention of Corruption Act, the legality of this order can be questioned. In case the order is overridden by the central government, such a situation can lead to further confrontation between the state and the centre.

Now with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee supporting Naidu’s decision, the eastern state can follow suit in restricting CBI leading to further acrimony between the states and the centre. It can be recalled that even people and ministers close to Mamata Banerjee are embroiled in several cases of corruption from the Rose Valley scam to the Chit Fund scam. Stopping the CBI from investigating cases of corruption in such a scenario only raises doubts about the motive of these leaders.

– Allocating land to VBC fertilisers & Chemicals Ltd at throwaway prices. The director of VBC Fertilizers and Chemicals Pvt Ltd is M S P Rama Rao is related to CM Naidu through Actor turned politician N Balakrishna.

– Nearly 35000 acres of land, mostly fertile and grew three crop a year lands, were acquired against the suggestions of Sivaramakrishna committee

– No action taken against Revanth Reddy,a Congress politician, even though there was sufficient video evidence which clearly showed his involvement. Allegations of quid-pro-quo with Congress after Naidu quit NDA.

– YSR Congress Party leader V Vijayasai Reddy has accused Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of being involved in corruption amounting to Rs 3 lakh crore.

– Advance revelation of prime locations of upcoming capital Amravati to select coterie and buying of land in these location. Subsequent artificial price escalation, aiding the realtors close to the CM

– No proper investigation into the missing Land records of more than one lakh acres in Visakhapatnam. Lands now occupied by those close to TDP

– Allegation of select companies being given tailor-made GOs for Irrigation projects, throwing all norms and regulations to the winds

– Corruption and escalation of the cost in Polavaram project which rose from Rs.16,010 crores to Rs.40,352 crores to Rs.58,319.06 crores today!