Watch: What happened after Chandrababu Naidu asked MLAs with 'false cases' to stand up

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday lightened the mood in the state assembly by asking MLAs who had been booked under the previous YSR Congress Party government to stand up. Nearly 80 percent of the MLAs responded.

Among those who stood up were deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, HRD minister Nara Lokesh, and several other ministers. One female MLA was heard saying that she had seven cases filed against her.
Following the presentation of a white paper on the state's law and order situation over the past five years, Naidu posed a question to the House: "Against whom have cases been filed?" In response, a significant number of legislators from the ruling coalition, stood up to back the chief minister's claim.
Addressing the Speaker, Chandrababu Naidu remarked, "Did you see, Speaker sir? Cases have been filed against all of those who fought politically in the state. This is why people have sent these leaders to the Assembly. You've seen the majority. We all were victims of the YSR Congress regime." His statement was met with amusement and enthusiastic desk-thumping from his ministers.
Naidu praised the Andhra Pradesh police for their commendable work in curbing factionism, left-wing extremism, rowdyism, and communal elements during the previous TDP regime, but claimed that their reputation hit an all-time low under the YSRCP's rule, as they were used to harass opposition leaders.
According to Naidu, people suffered physical and mental trauma under YSRCP rule.
"YSRCP leaders with the police attacked the very roots of democracy," he said, recalling that the Legislative Council Chairman was not allowed to function when a bill for creating three state capitals was tabled.
Naidu said that the previous YSRC govt used the police department as a weapon to take vengeance on political opponents. He said the NDA govt will work with zero tolerance towards crime and will deal with an iron fist to curb rowdy elements, and ganja and drug peddlers.
He agreed to Pawan Kalyan's suggestion for another session to thoroughly discuss law and order and advised NDA members not to cause trouble for the government, making it clear that anyone disturbing peace and law and order would be punished.
The chief minister also expressed the government's willingness to punish officials who filed illegal cases. He emphasized that the NDA government will adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards crime and deal firmly with rowdy elements, as well as ganja and drug peddlers.
He assured the house that a separate wing would be created in the police department to monitor social media and warned that those posting content derogatory to women would not be spared.
Naidu pointed out that cases were filed against opposition leaders, including himself and Pawan Kalyan, during the YSRCP regime. He asked MLAs with criminal cases to stand up to demonstrate that the majority of them face multiple charges. Naidu also noted that never before in the history of Andhra Pradesh had the homes and party offices of opposition parties been attacked.
Naidu mentioned that, apart from the Babli case, he had never faced any other cases, but after the YSRCP came to power, 17 cases were filed against him, and seven cases were filed against Pawan Kalyan. He also noted that around 60 cases were filed against TDP leader J. C. Prabhakar Reddy, and cases under the SC/ST Atrocities Act were registered against current Home Minister Anitha Vangalapudi and Speaker Ayyanna Patrudu.
Naidu alleged that then-MP Raghurama Krishna Raju was tortured in lock-up and that then-Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy derived sadistic pleasure from watching the torture video.
Naidu further highlighted the unprecedented harassment faced by marginalized sections of society. He cited the suicide pact of the Abdul Salaam family, the death of Dr. Sudhakar, and the brutal murders of Thota Chandraiah, Nandam Subbaiah, Shaik Hussain, Kanchella Jalaiah, Amarnath Goud, and driver Veedhi Subrahmanyam as examples of how Dalits, minorities, and backward classes were targeted.
Naidu also mentioned that farmers in Amaravati were harassed for four years for protesting against the three capitals proposal, with 269 cases filed against 2,525 farmers.