Coalition of corrupt parties emerging: BJP on Chandrababu-Mamata action on CBI

Reacting to the two Chief Ministers' actions, BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao said: "The recent decision of the Government of Andhra Pradesh to withdraw General Consent to the CBI for investigating various cases under the central acts is a malafide exercise of its executive power to protect acts of corruption and financial embezzlement."

Taking a dig at Mamata, whose several party leaders are accused in Saradha and Narada scams, GVL said the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is relieved after blocking the federal probe agency.

GVL said: "That Ms. Mamata Banerjee has wholeheartedly supported such a brazen action is not surprising as a new 'COALITION OF THE CORRUPT PARTIES' is taking shape in the country. Narada-Sharada tainted TMC sees great relief in blocking any investigations and probes by the CBI."

Mamata, while addressing her party leaders at the TMC's extended core committee meeting on Friday, alleged that the central government, which is presently run by the BJP, is using the CBI as a tool to target the opposition parties.

In the absence of the state's permission, the CBI now cannot interfere with any case that takes place within the limits of Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. However, the CBI still can conduct raids in the respective states with the court permission.

GVL also attacked Naidu, whose political outfit Telegu Desam Party (TDP) was a part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), for blocking the CBI from entering the southern state.

The BJP leader said the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister is finding comfort zone in company with alleged corrupt leaders like Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, Congress' former and current presidents, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi respectively, at the time Naidu is making efforts to make a rainbow coalition to tackle the saffron surge in 2019 General Elections.

"Chandrababu Naidu, the new entrant to the "Club of the Corrupt Parties" seems to be enjoying the company of Lalu Prasad in jail, Rahul-Sonia Gandhi on bail and others being probed for tax evasion, misappropriation and financial embezzlement," GVL said.

The BJP leader, while addressing a press conference on Saturday, also said his party will expose the corrupt activities of all political leaders who are making efforts to constitute a "Grand Corrupt Alliance (GCA)".

"BJP will raise this issue in all political platforms to expose the corrupt deeds of the newly minted "Grand Corrupt Alliance" (GCA)," GVL said.

The decision to bar CBI is being seen as another flash-point between the centre and state government after Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP withdrew from the NDA earlier this year over the demands of special status for the southern state.

Naidu, who has been trying to mobilise opposition parties ahead of 2019 general elections, accused the BJP and YSR Congress of plotting to destabilise the government in recent times.

On the other hand, Mamata is trying to constitute a federal front to defeat the BJP in 2019 General Elections.