The timing of Ex-Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s arrest in connection with a Rs 371 crore corruption case is critical, as it comes just months ahead of state elections. Other top leaders of his party, the Telugu Desam Party, are also accused in the alleged scam involving the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation, which was set up when Naidu’s party was in power.

The CID, which is investigating the case, has hinted that Naidu’s son and TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh’s role is also being probed.

Money meant to upskill unemployed youth of Andhra Pradesh was allegedly siphoned off.

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s party, the YSR Congress, has asked its cadre not to celebrate Chandrababu Naidu’s arrest even though it’s a shot in the arm for the ruling party which is looking to return to power in the southern state.

The Chief Minister was in London when Naidu was arrested.

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his party have in the past accused Naidu of corruption and wrongdoing, and he has been named in cases before, but was never jailed.

Janasena party president Pawan Kalyan, who is BJP’s local ally in Andhra Pradesh, has alleged that Chief Minister Reddy was trying to tar political opponents as criminals and sending them to jail just because he too once did.

According to the actor-politician, Reddy would not have become the Chief Minister had laws worked effectively.

Naidu was on Sunday sent to judicial custody for 14 days. He is appealing against the judicial remand in the High Court.

Prohibitory orders are in place in Andhra Pradesh, as the TDP has called for a state-wide bandh.

Nara Lokesh penned an emotional note on X (formerly Twitter) alleging his father was unjustly sent for remand for a crime he never committed.