Chandrababu Naidu Arrested in Alleged Rs 550-Crore Skill Development Scam

Chandrababu Naidu Arrested in Alleged Rs 550-Crore Skill Development Scam

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was arrested on Saturday in connection with an alleged Rs 550-crore skill development scam. The arrest was made by the Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (CID) after a 10-month investigation.

Naidu Accused of Masterminding Scam

The CID investigation found that Naidu was the mastermind of the scam. It alleged that he had colluded with private companies to divert funds meant for skill development into shell companies.

Probe Uncovers Misappropriation of Funds

The investigation also found that a large amount of money had been misappropriated from the scheme. It found that the funds had been used for purposes other than skill development, such as buying land and constructing buildings.

Naidu Denies Charges, Calls Arrest Political Vendetta

Naidu has denied all the charges against him. He has called his arrest a political vendetta by the ruling YSR Congress Party.

Arrest Triggers Political Turmoil in Andhra Pradesh

Naidu’s arrest has triggered political turmoil in Andhra Pradesh. The opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has called for a statewide shutdown on Monday to protest the arrest.

The arrest of Chandrababu Naidu is a major development in the ongoing political saga in Andhra Pradesh. It remains to be seen how the case will unfold and what the implications will be for the state.

The Skill Development Scam

The skill development scam is alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019, when Naidu was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. The scam involved the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC), a government agency that was responsible for providing skill training to unemployed youth.

The CID investigation found that Naidu had approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a private company to set up 14 skill development clusters in the state. However, the investigation found that the MOU was not properly followed and that the funds were diverted to shell companies.

The CID also found that the funds were used to buy land and construct buildings that were not related to skill development. The investigation also found that some of the funds were used to pay the salaries of Naidu’s family members and close associates.

Naidu’s Denials

Naidu has denied all the charges against him. He has said that he is being framed by the ruling YSR Congress Party. He has also said that he is willing to cooperate with the investigation.

Political Turmoil

Naidu’s arrest has triggered political turmoil in Andhra Pradesh. The opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has called for a statewide shutdown on Monday to protest the arrest. The TDP has also accused the YSR Congress Party of using the police to target its leaders.

The arrest of Chandrababu Naidu is a major development in the ongoing political saga in Andhra Pradesh. It remains to be seen how the case will unfold and what the implications will be for the state.

The Future of the Case

The case against Chandrababu Naidu is still at an early stage. The CID is likely to continue its investigation and file a charge sheet in court. Naidu is likely to be granted bail, but the case could drag on for several years.

The outcome of the case will have a significant impact on the political landscape in Andhra Pradesh. If Naidu is found guilty, it could damage the reputation of the TDP and weaken its chances of winning the next election. However, if he is acquitted, it could boost the morale of the TDP and make it a more formidable force in the opposition.

The skill development scam is a major scandal that has rocked Andhra Pradesh. It remains to be seen how the case will unfold and what the implications will be for the state.

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