Lokesh Lights 53 Candles To Mark Naidu’s Arrest Anniversary
Naidu was arrested in the early hours of September 9, 2023, in connection with the alleged skill development case during the previous YSRC government. He subsequently spent 53 days in judicial custody
VIJAYAWADA: Telugu Desam national general secretary Nara Lokesh on Wednesday lit 53 candles at his Undavalli residence to mark three years since the arrest of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in the alleged skill development case.
The TD observed the occasion under the slogan “Truth prevailed”, with party leaders and supporters across Andhra Pradesh lighting candles in solidarity with Naidu and protesting what they termed the “dark day” of his arrest.
Naidu was arrested in the early hours of September 9, 2023, in connection with the alleged skill development case during the previous YSRC government. He subsequently spent 53 days in judicial custody.
Recalling the episode, Lokesh alleged that then chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had engineered the case with political motives to target Naidu. He said the TD chief had emerged from the cases with his reputation intact, likening him to a “washed pearl” after being supported by millions of Telugu people across the world.
Lokesh said Naidu represented the pinnacle of five decades of selfless political service and asserted that the blessings and support of the people had helped him overcome the politically motivated cases.
Lokesh expressed confidence that people’s strength would remain the “Srirama Raksha” (divine protection) for the TD and Naidu, and said the party would continue to draw its strength from public support.
The candle-lighting programmes across the State were organised as a symbolic protest against the arrest and to recall the 53 days of Naidu’s incarceration.