A Political Officer in Uniform
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has once again brought out one of its old weapons to target YS Jagan Mohan Reddy — this time in the form of retired IPS officer A.B. Venkateswara Rao. His recent public campaign and media attacks on Jagan were widely seen not as independent reflections but as part of a coordinated and politically guided operation. Even during his tenure, Rao, who once served as Intelligence Chief, was believed to have been more of a political operative than a neutral officer.
Operation Akarsh and Abuse of Intelligence
Several observers and political leaders have long noted that ABV functioned as an enforcer for Chandrababu Naidu during the TDP regime. He was allegedly involved in tapping phones, spying on opposition MLAs, and compiling confidential dossiers used to manipulate or coerce them into switching sides. During 2014–2019, Rao was said to have played a key role in TDP’s Operation Akarsh — engineering defections from the YSR Congress Party through pressure, threats, or incentives.
Cracks Appear: Suspension and Investigation under YSRCP
When YS Jagan came to power in 2019, one of the first decisions taken was to remove ABV from key positions. He was suspended on charges of misuse of power, especially regarding irregularities in the procurement of surveillance technology — a serious matter involving national security protocols. The Anti-Corruption Bureau also registered a case against him. Though courts later quashed his suspension on procedural grounds, the case itself was not fully closed.
The Curious Case of Retirement Day Reinstatement
In one of the more dramatic bureaucratic episodes, ABV was reinstated by the High Court on the very morning of his retirement day — only to retire from service that very evening. This peculiar sequence drew public criticism and was widely perceived as an institutional farce.
From Civil Servant to TDP Campaigner
Despite being a government servant until 2022, ABV’s proximity to the TDP was always apparent. His hostility toward the YSRCP government intensified after retirement, with frequent media appearances, public statements, and political briefings directly targeting YS Jagan. He began openly associating with TDP-linked events and was reportedly seen attending caste-based meetings, particularly among Kamma community circles, where he made incendiary remarks about Jagan. These platforms were widely used to amplify anti-Jagan narratives.
Legal Whitewashing After 2024 Elections
In December 2024, after the TDP-led NDA came back to power in Andhra Pradesh, the government formally dropped all charges against ABV, calling them “politically motivated.” However, it is important to note that the ACB case remains pending, and legal experts continue to question the whitewashing of serious allegations.
YSRCP Fires Back: “He Was Always Their Man”
YSRCP leaders, including Srikanth Reddy and Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, responded sharply. They reminded the public that ABV was never an apolitical officer. Srikanth Reddy accused him of misusing state machinery to advance Naidu’s political interests — including the tapping of MLAs’ phones and blackmail-based defections. Now retired, he continues that mission, albeit in civilian clothing.
The Hypocrisy of ‘Neutrality’
ABV’s claim of neutrality collapses under the weight of his public conduct. His selective targeting of YS Jagan, his silence on other political matters, and his close alignment with the TDP ecosystem render his claims of being a whistleblower hollow. Ironically, he now speaks about constitutional morality and governance — principles he was accused of violating during his own tenure.
A Dangerous trend: Bureaucracy turned political weapon
Several political thinkers and civil society voices have expressed concern about the dangerous precedent being set — where former civil servants, once expected to uphold the Constitution, become weapons in political vendettas. ABV’s journey from Intelligence Chief to political mouthpiece is not a transformation but a continuation of his original mission: protect Chandrababu Naidu, and target YS Jagan.
A Badge may be gone, But the bias remains
In conclusion, AB Venkateswara Rao’s public offensive against YS Jagan is nothing new — it is merely an extension of the same vendetta politics he engineered during his years in uniform. Though the badge is gone, the bias remains. His credibility, many argue, was lost the moment he allowed politics to hijack his constitutional duty. Now, it is for the people to decide: Can such a figure be taken seriously when speaking of truth, justice, or governance?
