TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu arrested amid high tension in Nandyal

Tensions ran high in Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh on Friday night following a flurry of phone calls among district leaders from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) high command. The atmosphere became so charged that heavy police reinforcements were sent to the office of the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Nandyal. Forces also arrived from Anantapur in six buses to join the existing police force.

TDP leader and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was arrested by CID police in Nandyal on charges related to an ongoing case in which he was named the prime accused. The arrest took place against a backdrop of intense confrontations between TDP leaders and the police, who arrived at RK Function Hall in large numbers from the SP’s office.

The police force included DIG Raghuram Reddy and District SP Raghuveer Reddy. Amid this backdrop, a large number of TDP supporters gathered at RK Function Hall. Police said they took these actions in response to escalating tensions and confrontations among TDP leaders. Tensions rose to such an extent that there were discussions between the police, Chandrababu Naidu’s chief security officer, and NSG (National Security Guard) officials. The NSG commandant was also briefed by the police.

Former Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu arrested amid high tension in Nandyal. Photo courtesy of Hemshah171095/Wikimedia Commons.

Naidu’s arrest led to dramatic scenes, with some leaders alleging that it was wrong to disrupt his sleep in the middle of the night for the arrest. They insisted that Naidu wasn’t a flight risk and had no intention of avoiding any confrontations with the police.

There was also an attempt by the police to break into the bus where Chandrababu Naidu was taking rest. TDP leaders prevented this, leading to a three-hour standoff. TDP officials questioned why they had to be brought to the location where Naidu was resting.

The situation remains tense as authorities have not yet clarified why the arrest was made in such a high-tension atmosphere. Critics argue that the arrest could have been carried out more peacefully.

For now, the district remains on high alert, and the situation continues to evolve.