AP govt misusing Police Act to harass TDP workers in West Godavari: Naidu

West Godavari: Hitting out at the YSRC government in Andhra Pradesh and Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy, TDP supremo and former CM Nara Chandrababu Naidu said the West Godavari police misused the Indian Police Act, 1861, to harass and file cases against his party leaders.

On Day 2 of his visit to Tanuku on Tuesday, Naidu said the police have registered at least 13 cases against senior TDP leader and former MLA Chintamaneni Prabhakar to harass him.

"The YSRC government has filed 26 illegal cases against me in the past five months. I am never afraid of such false cases and I would continue my fight against the government’s anti-people policies," said Naidu.

The West Godavari police invoked Section 30 of the Police Act to impose restrictions on processions and meetings. This was to disrupt the meetings of the TDP and obstruct party workers from attending them, he said.

Coming down heavily on the AP police, Naidu said, "The police have to protect the people by nabbing the culprits. But in AP, the police are harassing the common people by registering false cases against them." As of result of this, Naidu said, the people have lost their faith in AP police.

Naidu called Jaganmohan Reddy an economic offender and an accused in economic offences. "Unfortunately, Jagan became the chief minister and he has been tarnishing the image of Andhra Pradesh by obstructing investments and stalling projects."

Talking to newsmen after meeting with party men, Naidu said the TDP will stage protests against the policies of the YSRC and extend support to the opposition parties that are fighting for the rights of construction workers in the state.