AP Home minister, YSRCP leader dismiss Naidu's phone tapping allegations

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Home minister Mekathoti Sucharita, on 17 August, dismissed TDP chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu's allegations of phone tapping and said it was not the “culture” of their government.

Earlier, Mr. Naidu had alleged that the ruling YSR Congress party was involved in the illegal tapping of phones and had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting the Centre to order an inquiry to check the state's illegal acts. Mr. Naidu had alleged that the state was tapping the phones of Opposition party leaders, advocates, mediapersons, and social activists.

Dismissing the allegations, the Home minister said Mr. Naidu has been trying to tarnish the image of the YSRCP-led government to gain political mileage because people have lost their faith in him. She said the government taps the phones of anti-social elements and terrorists only.

Meanwhile, YSRCP leader Ambati Rambabu said it has become a habit for Mr. Naidu to plant fake stories in the media, kickstart a debate, and write a letter to the Centre about the media report he himself planted. He demanded that the TDP chief furnish proof for his allegations and said the state government has no reason to tap the phones of the Opposition party because it is weak and almost negligible.

“Chandrababu is playing cheap politics with his friendly media and seeking an inquiry into a matter which doesn’t exist. Is Chandrababu conspiring to create unrest in the state or is he scared of being exposed in his money laundering case and his links with Singapore companies?” he asked.

ఫోన్ ట్యాపింగ్ చేస్తున్నారని ప్రతిపక్ష నేత @ncbn అసత్య ప్రచారాలు చేయడం సిగ్గుచేటు, జడ్జ్ ల ఫోన్లు ట్యాపింగ్ చేశారని నిరాధార ఆరోపణలు చేయడం నిజంగా బాధాకరం. 40 ఏళ్ళ అనుభవం ఉన్న నాయకుడు ఇలా నిరాధార ఆరోపణలు చేయడం సిగ్గుచేటు. pic.twitter.com/Qdc5jkJEA0

— Mekathoti Sucharitha (@SucharitaYSRCP) August 17, 2020

Regarding Mr. Naidu's letter to Mr. Modi, the YSRCP leader said everyone had witnessed how the TDP chief had criticised the Prime Minister before the elections and teamed up with anti-BJP parties. But now after facing a defeat in the election, Mr. Naidu has taken a U-turn and started praising Mr. Modi, he alleged, adding it is absurd for Mr. Naidu to demand an inquiry by Central agencies as he is the one who stalled CBI and ED presence in the state. He questioned whether Mr. Naidu has regained faith in the CBI after losing power.