Telugu Desam Party president and former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday demanded imposition of President’s Rule in the state, alleging that there is a total breakdown of law and order in the state under the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government.
Naidu also called for an Andhra Pradesh bandh on Wednesday in protest against the alleged vandalism by the YSRCP leaders and cadres on the TDP offices in several parts of the state.
The TDP chief described the attacks by the YSRC cadres on the TDP offices across the state as nothing but 'State-sponsored terrorism' on democracy and a ghastly attempt to stifle the voice of the opposition.
He termed it as an indication of the total deterioration of law and order, and the attacks were because of the TDP's courageous struggle against the Government's drug mafia, corruption and frauds.
He asked whether a better reason was required to invoke Article 356 to impose President's Rule in the State.
“The DGP Office is located just 100 yards from the TDP Central Office, which was attacked and ransacked by the YSRCP goons. Yet, the police did not act. Three TDP activists suffered severe bleeding injuries and were admitted to intensive care,” he pointed out.
He said he had personally called DGP at 5.03 pm but he did not pick up the phone. The party office staff called the local police station but in vain. The attack finally took place at 5.16 p.m. This was totally a result of the collusion of the Government and the AP police, he regretted.
Naidu alleged that the chief minister and DGP Gautam Sawang jointly masterminded the latest vandalism just as they have been targetting the opposition for the past two and half years.
“These attacks were only intended to terrorise the TDP leaders and cadres so that they would stop agitating against the Government's atrocities and lawlessness. But that would not happen and the TDP would continue its struggles against oppression and suppression in all forms,” he said.
Naidu appealed to all sections of people to voluntarily take part in the bandh and express their protest against the atrocities and misdeeds of the ruling YSRCP leaders. This was not the sole problem of the TDP but something concerning the democratic rights of the people as a whole.