''We Will Not Be Cowed Down By IT Raids'' Says Nara Lokesh

Andhra Pradesh Information and Technology Minister Nara Lokesh on Friday, October 12 said that Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will not be cowed down by the Income Tax (IT) department's raids on his party leaders.

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Accusing the central government of muscle flexing by conducting raids, Lokesh tweeted: "The Centre has begun intimidation politics with IT raids on party leaders Mastan Rao Garu, Sujana Garu and now CM Ramesh Garu. TDP leaders are being unduly targeted for raising voice against the Centre for breaking every promise made during bifurcation."

Lokesh further emphasised, "We will not be cowed down by this! It will only make our resolve stronger."

The IT department conducted raids and searches at multiple premises linked to Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader CM Ramesh on Friday, October 12. IT sources said nearly 60 officials conducted raids at several houses situated in Kadapa and also at an office of a company owned by Ramesh's relatives.

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Raids were also conducted at Rithwik Projects Pvt. Ltd, the company promoted by Ramesh. As a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Ramesh had issued a notice to the IT department to furnish details about the raids being conducted at the premises of TDP leaders in the state. However, merely three days after the notice was issued, the IT department conducted raids at his residence and offices.

The Andhra Pradesh cabinet on Friday termed raids conducted by the IT department a political vendetta by "Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hamper the development of the state".