A non-bailable arrest warrant has been issued against Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and 15 others. A court in Maharashtra has ordered the police to arrest and produce Naidu and others before it by September 21.
The arrest warrant was issued in connection with a protest in 2010 when Naidu and others were opposing a water project in Babli (Maharashtra) across the Godavari. The police had then arrested Naidu and others and lodged them in a jail in Pune. They were later released.
Back then, Naidu was the Leader of Opposition of then united Andhra Pradesh. He was protesting on the grounds that the Babli project would adversely affect people in Andhra Pradesh.
The arrest warrant has been issued by judicial first class magistrate of Dharmabad in Nanded district of Maharashtra based on a petition filed by a local resident.
The Andhra Pradesh chief minister and others have been charged under the Indian Penal Code with offences like assault or criminal force, to deter public servant from discharge of duty, voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means, act endangering life or personal safety of others, criminal intimidation, among others.
It is BJP’s handiwork: TDP
Meanwhile, Naidu’s party, the Telegu Desam Party (TDP), has alleged that the arrest warrant is handiwork of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). TDP spokesperson Lanka Dinakar said the BJP is “plotting the arrest warrant”. He said the BJP is “targeting” Naidu because he moved out of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.
Naidu’s son and state Information Technology Minister, N Lokesh said his father and other TDP leaders will appear before the court.
“He fought to protect the interests of Telangana. He even refused to seek bail when he was arrested,” Lokesh said.PTI
