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Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu: SECI Power Deals Won't Be Scrapped Without Solid Evidence

N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, has stated that the state government cannot cancel power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) unless concrete evidence of bribery allegations is presented.

The statement comes in the wake of the Adani Group being indicted by the US Department of Justice for allegedly orchestrating a Rs 250 million bribery scheme to secure favorable solar power contracts in India, including those linked to Andhra Pradesh. These allegations, however, have been strongly denied by the Indian conglomerate.

During an interaction at the TDP headquarters in Mangalagiri, Naidu emphasized the need for credible documentation before taking any action. "If we cancel the MoUs immediately, it could lead to legal complications," he remarked.

Naidu assured reporters that action would be taken against wrongdoers, regardless of their stature, but only after securing verifiable evidence. "I never engage in political vendettas, but I will not spare anyone guilty of wrongdoing," he said.

Naidu also highlighted that SECI’s agreement to buy power from the Adani Group brought significant advantages to Andhra Pradesh. He reiterated that any action on bribery allegations would be based on thoroughly established facts.

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), which governed Andhra Pradesh before the current Telugu Desam Party (TDP) administration, is under scrutiny for alleged bribes totaling Rs 1,750 crore received by government officials from the Adani Group.

The controversy comes after Andhra Pradesh Power Distribution Companies (Discoms) recently decided to procure 4,000 million units (MU) of power from SECI, as part of the total 17,000 MU agreed for the next fiscal year.

Meanwhile, the YSR Congress Party has dismissed the bribery claims, stating that the agreements involve the state government, Discoms, and SECI, a central government organization, with no third-party involvement.