Naidu arrested for holding anti-corruption dharna

 Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu along with hundreds of his supporters was arrested by the police when he tried to take out a Padyatra expressing solidarity with Anna Hazare.

Naidu was held while he was proceeding from Gandhi Statue towards Tank Bund.

Addressing the gathering at Mahatma Gandhi statue, Naidu demanded unconditional release of Anna Hazare from the Tihar Jail. Naidu also raised objection for placing Anna Hazare in the same cell, where CWG Scam accused Suresh Kalmadi has been placed. “It is nothing but an insult to the people,” he stated.

Naidu said the government has been violating the fundamental rights of the people and resorting to forcible methods to contain the anti-corruption agitation in the country.

Stressing the importance of stringent law to prevent corruption at higher echelons, Naidu demanded inclusion of the Prime Minister in the Lokpal ambit. He asked the government why it was afraid of including the Prime Minister office under the purview of Lokpal.

Recalling that Lokayukta in Karnataka indicted BJP chief minister B S Yediyurappa, Naidu said the government should make efforts for including the Chief Minister’s office in the Lokayukta.

Stating that he was ready to go for jail to prevent rampant corruption, Naidu called upon all people, particularly youth, to participate actively in the agitation launched against corruption. He said he would intensify his agitation against corruption until the Centre introduces the Lokpal Bill in the parliament.

The police shifted Naidu and other party leaders including T Devender Goud to Mahankali police station for obstructing traffic by sitting on the road at Ramgopalpet police station.

However, the TDP activists continued their protest in front of Ramgopalpet PS demanding the release of Naidu and raised slogans against police action.