Controversy over the attack on Andhra opposition leader Jagan Mohan Reddy doesn’t seem to be coming to an end any time soon. Days after the attack shook the political landscape of the state, the YSRCP top brass has now demanded a CBI probe into the attack.
YSRCP General Secretary Vijaysai Reddy on Thursday hit out at Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu, daring him to hand over the investigation to the CBI, or to any other central investigative agency. “If at all, as you and your DGP claim, the attack was done by a Jagan fan, would you dare to hand over the case to the CBI or to any other agency?” he asked.
Questioning the TDP’s objection to a central agency probing the case, he alleged that they were afraid of a central investigator looking into the attack. Further, Vijay Sai also accused Chandrababu Naidu of corruption and crimes, and alleged that the Chief Minister has lead a life of “three conspiracies six murders.”
“Chandrababu and his ministers have a conclusion to the case even before the completion of the probe,” he alleged.
Earlier this week Jagan sought intervention of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the attack case, and sought a probe by an investigative agency that is not under the control of the state government. He wanted to ensure that the inquiry would not get “vitiated” and that the real reasons behind the attack would be unearthed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In his letter to the Home Minister, Jagan alleged that the investigation by the state government was “undertaken in a predetermined and deficient manner”, while accusing the investigators of reaching “premature conclusions.”
On Wednesday Jagan has also moved Hyderabad HC seeking a probe into attack by an "independent agency".
TDP circles on the other hand have asked the YSRCP to get a clarification on what a third party investigation is. Speaking to TNM Lanka Dinakar TDP official spokesperson said, “We don't have any fear of any agency, why would we pull out of NDA if we were afraid? It's YSRCP and Vijaysai Reddy who are afraid of all this." He further alleged that Vijay Sai is in constant touch with PMO and hand in hand with the BJP to conspire against the TDP.
Mocking YSRCP demands, he said that the party has no clarity on what a third party agency or independent agency is, while questioning if they know that SIT (Special Investigation Team) or CID (Crime Investigation Department) are third party investigation wings in the state.
He has also claimed that it's an irony to seek CBI probe while the CBI itself is "stinking" under the Narendra Modi regime. "YSRCP has lost it logically, where is the sanctity of CBI? It's high time the CBI itself comes out with clarifications before it takes up any investigation pertaining to any case.”
Meanwhile, the accused Srinivasa Rao is in 15 days police custody.