On Thursday, the Andhra Pradesh Assembly had some lighter moments as nearly 80 percent of the MLAs stood up when Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu asked those who had been booked under the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government to rise. Among those who stood were Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Human Resources Development Minister Nara Lokesh, and several other ministers.
One female MLA even mentioned that she had seven cases filed against her. Naidu remarked that the cases were politically motivated and that the previous Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, had aimed to keep political adversaries imprisoned, yet the electorate had brought them all to the Assembly. Naidu presented a White Paper on law and order under YSRCP rule, pledging to improve Andhra Pradesh’s standing in terms of law and order. He promised to review all politically motivated cases and indicated that officials involved in filing illegal cases would face consequences.
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Naidu noted that, except for the Babli case, he had no other cases against him prior to the YSRCP administration. However, under YSRCP rule, he faced 17 cases, while Pawan Kalyan had seven cases filed against him. TDP leader J.C. Prabhakar Reddy faced about 60 cases, and cases under the SC/ST Atrocities Act were filed against current Home Minister Anitha Vangalapudi and Speaker Ayyanna Patrudu. Naidu also alleged that then MP Raghurama Krishna Raju was tortured in custody, with Reddy purportedly deriving sadistic pleasure from watching the video of the torture.
Chandrababu Naidu accused the YSRCP of causing physical and mental trauma to people and undermining democracy, recalling that the Legislative Council Chairman was obstructed when a bill for creating three state capitals was introduced.
He agreed with Pawan Kalyan’s proposal for an additional session to thoroughly discuss law and order and advised NDA members to avoid actions that might destabilize the government. Naidu stressed that maintaining law and order depends on officials adhering to legal standards and announced the creation of a new police department wing to monitor social media. He warned that individuals posting derogatory content about women would face strict penalties.
