NTR prefers silence on CBN arrest

High tension is prevailing in Andhra Pradesh after the state-led CID police personnel arrested former Chief Minister and TDP supremo Nara Chandra Babu Naidu in the wee hours on Saturday morning from a function hall in Nandyal where he was taking a rest after completing his political campaign on Friday night. The police stated that Naidu was apprehended in connection with alleged fraud unearthed in AP Skill Development Corporation during his previous tenure as Chief Minister.

While the entire Nandamuri family condemned the arrest of Chandra Babu Naidu, actor Jr. NTR preferred to remain silent on the issue. TDP followers and Nandamuri fans expected him to express strong disapproval of the brazen approach adopted by the YSRCP against Naidu, but NTR decided not to react to the issue. It is a known fact that NTR has been maintaining distance with CBN and TDP cadre after the 2009 elections due to some personal reasons.

NTR chose to remain aloof from politics in the last decade and hardly reacted to any political issue relating to Andhra Pradesh. He even stayed away from the centenary birthday celebrations of his grandfather Sr.NTR. The only political incident in recent times when he responded was when the opposition leaders of YSRCP made loathsome comments on Nara Bhuvaneshwari, wife of Chandra Babu Naidu. He strongly condemned the deplorable statements through a video message. The TDP cadre is expecting a similar response from NTR this time. But, he didn’t react so far.

Meanwhile, widespread protests ensued after CBN’s arrest all over the state as TDP supporters came out in large numbers to oppose the move as a part of vindictive politics by Jagan Mohan Reddy led government. The unceremonious arrest was unanimously condemned by all political parties and several bigwigs like Daggubati Purandeshwari have lashed out at the government for their brazen approach. Meanwhile, Janasena Chief and actor Pawan Kalyan came in full support of Chandra Babu Naidu. He reached Vijayawada by road and tried to meet Naidu despite stern opposition from AP police.