After ‘Barring’ CBI in Andhra Pradesh, Naidu Likely to Approach SC to Limit Powers of I-T, ED

Chandrababu Naidu has accused the central government of misusing the CBI, IT, ED and other institutions against its political rivals.

Hyderabad: After withdrawing the “general consent” accorded to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct raids and carry out investigations in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is mulling to approach the Supreme Court to restrict the powers of central agencies like the Income Tax department and Enforcement Directorate before 2019 Lok Sabha elections, according to a Times of India report.

Naidu had earlier accused the central government of misusing the CBI, IT, ED and other institutions against its political rivals and called for a ‘Save Democracy movement’ in the country.

The report cited a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP saying that all the anti-BJP parties are working on a common minimum programme (CMP) following which they will give ask central agencies to stop following Centre’s political agenda.

If there is a need and once there is consensus, the parties will approach the Supreme Court, the MP added.

The report further quoted party sources saying that Naidu has already discussed the issue with senior TDP leaders and his legal advisers.

Naidu’s reported move is being seen as further intensification of confrontation between the Modi government and Naidu, who is making extensive efforts to forge a non-BJP front to take on the saffron party in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The Andhra Pradesh CM has alleged that the NDA government is targeting opposition leaders through central agencies to scare them before the general elections.

“It is an open secret that I-T department started searches on business houses owned by TDP leaders, including those of MP CM Ramesh, MLA Pothula Ramarao and former MLA Beeda Mastan Rao only after we parted ways with the NPA,” Times of India quoted a senior TDP leader as saying.

Naidu is planning to convince senior opposition leaders on the need to file a PIL in the Supreme Court seeking relief from central agencies targeting opposition parties.

Ever since he snapped ties with the Narendra Modi-led NDA government in March this year, Naidu had been alleging that the Centre was misusing agencies like the CBI to target political opponents.

The recent raids by Income Tax authorities on some business establishments, run by those close to the ruling Telugu Desam Party in the state, have left Naidu red-faced.

Subsequently, he announced that his government would not provide police cover to the IT officials for conducting the raids.