Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused the YSRCP Government of terrorising businesses and driving out industries from the state after Amara Raja Batteries Limited based in Chittoor decided to invest Rs 9,500 crore in Telangana for a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

Amara Raja is an Andhra Pradesh-based battery making company owned by two-time MP from TDP, Jayadeva Galla.

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In its reaction to the allegations, the YSRCP said that the Amara Raja’s decision to invest in Telangana is an instance of the opportunism of TDP leaders.

However, in a series of tweets, Naidu alleged that Amara Raja was driven out by political vendetta by the YSRCP government. “The one billion dollar company is now leaving its home state and looking out for opportunities in neighbouring states that are more than happy to host with Rs 9500 crore as investment. Through its state sponsored terrorism YSRCP is achieving its goal to kill both jobs and economy,” he said.

“When states are competing with each other to attract companies, AP is earning a notorious reputation for driving away companies, taking back lands, harassing them with raids and refusal of permissions. In the case of Amara Raja, AP went a step further by stopping power supply to its plants. Even court orders have been disrespected with non compliance. Just for the sake of harassing a political opponent the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government is destroying the state’s reputation and potential,” wrote Naidu.

The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board had ordered the shutdown of two plants of the company due to pollution. The company denied it and moved a court which suspended the order. The new plant in Telangana will employ 4500 people directly. Naidu signed off saying that the chief minister will not be forgiven for this betrayal. “He will not be forgiven for his betrayal of people’s mandate”, he wrote.

The YSRCP immediately hit back. “If Chandrababu Naidu can’t even persuade his own MP to invest in Andhra Pradesh, how can he talk about getting foreign investments to the State? The 9,500 crore investment of Amara Raja Batteries in Telangana shows the opportunism of TDP leaders,” said YSRCP’s Rajya Sabha MP Vijayasai Reddy.

It is not only Amara Raja, the YSRCP Government has also started investigating Margadarsi Chit Fund belonging to media baron Ramoji Rao who is considered to be close to Naidu. TDP has alleged it is political vendetta prior to elections but police denied it.