Chittor: Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu was detained by the police at the Tirupati Airport in Andhra Pradesh's Renigunta. Naidu was to take part in a protest in Chittoor against the high-handed actions of the local civic authorities.
The high drama ensued when Naidu arrived at the Tirupati Airport to take part in a protest against the ruling YSR Government. It was then a group of police officials interrupted him and he was further detained from attending any gathering citing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for elections as well as Covid restrictions.
A video of Naidu's detention has also surfaced online, wherein, he can be seen questioning the officials about the reason for detention. After having an argument with the senior police officials, Naidu resorted to a sit-in-protest at the airport's arrival lounge.
Sharing a video of the incident and addressing Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Naidu tweeted, "We will not be stopped. We will not be silenced. Your fear-driven, state-sponsored vendetta won't stop me from reaching out to my people. Grow up, @ysjagan."
Reportedly, Naidu was supposed to attend a protest at Chittor against the ruling YSRP government today. However, police denied permission to the Chittoor district TDP president Pulivarthi Venakatamani Prasad to organise a protest citing that under Covid -19 regulations huge gatherings were restricted. They further stated that the MCC which is in effect for the Andhra Pradesh urban local body election, and an agitational programme that is not in the nature of an election campaign cannot be permitted.
Moreover, the TDP demanded the ruling party to explain the cause of such control over the fundamental rights of conducting meetings and tours.
TDP AP president K Atchannaidu stated that Naidu has served as the Chief Minister for over 14 years and had over 40 years of political standing. "The YSRCP leaders had no right to create obstacles for the visits of such a senior leader," he added.