Naidu’s Hopes Dashed as SC Hints at Verdict on Quash Petition After Diwali Holidays 

Time and patience are running out for the TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu as the courts announce Diwali vacations. Naidu was released on 4-weeks interim bail by the Andhra Pradesh high court in the multi-crore skill development scam case. Recently, the Opposition leader successfully underwent cataract surgery to his right eye at a hospital in Hyderabad. 

The conditional and time-bound bail is expiring soon and Naidu is expected to return to Rajahmundry central prison by 5 pm on November 28, 2023. Relief seems elusive to Naidu who is accused of misappropriation of funds in several cases during his tenure as the chief minister of the state. 

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court said it will likely pronounce its verdict on a plea filed by Naidu seeking to quash an FIR against him in the skill development scam case after the Diwali holidays. The top court will remain closed for Diwali festival from November 12 to 19. 

Earlier, the apex court deferred the hearing on a plea by Naidu seeking anticipatory bail in the Fibernet case. A bench of justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trividei posted the matter for hearing on November 30 saying the judgement on another petition by the same petitioner (Naidu) is expected to be delivered after the Diwali vacations. As per reports the judgement on Naidu’s plea to quash criminal proceedings against him in the skill development case is expected on November 30 or December 1. 

The vacation for the courts has dashed the hopes of the Opposition leader who was seeking relief from going back to jail. If the top court’s judgement is not in favour of the TDP leader, Naidu is expected to continue his stay in the prison. 

The TDP leadership is planning to release the election manifesto in the presence of Naidu. However, this does not seem to be easy for the party. The TDP has joined hands with Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party (JSP) to fight the upcoming 2024 Assembly elections. The TDP-JSP alliance is still discussing the action plan for going together in the election campaign. Going by the developments, the TDP party is not in the position to release the joint election manifesto by the end of this month. 
 

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