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They have lot to hide: Jaitley on Mamata, Naidu govt withdrawing 'general consent' to CBI

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday hit out at Mamata Banerjee and Chandrababu Naidu after the state government withdrew general consent to the Central Bureau of Investigation to conduct raids and probe cases in the state.

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Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday hit out at Mamata Banerjee and Chandrababu Naidu after the state government withdrew general consent to the Central Bureau of Investigation to conduct raids and probe cases in the state.

Jaitley said that only states that have a lot to hide are averse to the investigation agency.

"Only those who have a lot to hide have taken the step of not letting CBI come to their state. There is no sovereignty of any state in the matter of corruption. Andhra move is not motivated by any particular case but in fear of what is likely to happen," the Union Minister said.

In a significant decision, after the Chandrababu Naidu government in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal government withdrawn general consent to the Central Bureau of Investigation. The decision was taken in a high-level meeting at Nabanna.

Experts, however, said that the phrase, ‘withdrawal of general consent’ was a jargon which only existed theoretically. “As it is a consent of the state government is required to carry out any raid unless the raid was during an inquiry where a Central government employee was involved,” said a High Court lawyer.

On August 3, the AP government issued the GO Ms No. 109 according "general consent" to all members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment to exercise the powers and jurisdiction in Andhra Pradesh against officials of the central government, central government undertakings and private persons for investigating offences under various laws, including the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The reason to withdraw the consent was recent allegations against the top officials of country's premier investigation agency, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister (Home) N China Rajappa told reporters.

The state government's move is being seen further intensification of confrontation between the Modi government and Naidu, who is making extensive efforts to forge a non-BJP front to take on the saffron party in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The CBI functions under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.

Under Section 6 of the Act, a state government "routinely" grants consent to the CBI for exercising its authority in the state and the AP government, too, had issued relevant orders periodically in the last few years.

Ever since he snapped ties with the Narendra Modi-led NDA government in March this year, Naidu had been alleging that the Centre was misusing agencies like the CBI to target political opponents.

The recent raids by Income Tax authorities on some business establishments, run by those close to the ruling Telugu Desam Party in the state, have left Naidu red-faced.

(With agency inputs)

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