The Andhra Pradesh government’s GO withdrawing “general consent” to the CBI to conduct probes in the State has sparkeda controversy on Friday. The CBI will henceforth have to seek permission of the State government before any investigation.

The news of the GO came into the public domain late on Thursday and became a topic of discussion on National and regional channels on Friday.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is reported to have expressed approval of the move by the AP government.

Lanka Dinakar, the representative of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), alleged that the CBI has lost all credibility as the government led by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had undermined the institution, and it was being misused by the Centre to fix political opponents.

Therefore, the move by the AP government to withdraw “general consent” for CBI probes within the State was warranted, according to him.

BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member GVL Narasimha Rao described it as “a jittery move by the State government as the Chief Minister has many skeletons in his cupboard.”

YSR Congress leader A Rambabu said that the Chief Minister should clarify his stand on the CBI. “The TDP is afraid that the CBI would probe its misdeeds,” he said.

Vundavalli Arun Kumar, former member of the Lok Sabha from Rajahmundry, was dismissive of the GO, it “is as good as a tissue paper. It is worthless,” he commented.

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