Summary:
We are not worried about searches, but we are worried about the fate of democracy in the country." AMARAVATI: In his attempts to shield his state from the Centre's alleged misuse of power against opposition leaders, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Naidu may even seek the intervention of the Supreme Court to restrict the central agencies from conducting searches on opposition leaders six months before any election. He also cited I-T and Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids in Tamil Nadu , Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh just before the elections as an attempt by the saffron party to stifle the voices of opposition parties and their leaders. "We need to restrict the selective activities of IT and ED at least for six months before general or assembly elections," a senior TDP leader said.Naidu, who is scheduled to meet with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Monday, is likely to discuss the issue with her. "It is an open secret the Income Tax department has started searches on business houses owned by TDP leaders, including those of MP CM Ramesh, MLA Pothula Ramarao and former MLA Beeda Mastan Rao only after we parted ways with the NDA government," another senior TDP leader said.Naidu is planning to convince senior opposition leaders on the need to file a public interest litigation (PIL) or writ petition in Supreme Court seeking relief from central agencies targeting opposition parties..