West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee backs AP CM Chandrababu Naidu's decision to block CBI

While addressing her party leader-activists during a meeting of Trinamool Congress (TMC)'s extended core committee at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata, party supremo Mamata Banerjee said, "CBI is remotely used by the Centre as a political weapon to target opposition parties."

"Chandrababu Naidu's decision not to allow CBI in his state is absolutely right," Banerjee added, endorsing Naidu's notification.

In a significant move that may lead to a Centre-state standoff, the Andhra Pradesh government has barred Central Bureau of Investigation personnel from entering the state for official work without informing it,  media reports said.

The state government has issued a notification withdrawing consent accorded to officers of the investigation agency to carry out search and operations without informing it first.

The  notification  says the general consent accorded to by the state to Delhi Special Police Establishment stand withdrawn. The CBI has was constituted under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act of 1946.

In the absence of this permission, the CBI cannot interfere with any case that takes place within the limits of AP any more. The state government cited lack of confidence in the CBI after its officials were accused in recent scams.

The state government will no more rely on the resources of the central institution for additional investigations in unresolved cases. With the latest decision, the CBI cannot conduct raids any more in Andhra Pradesh and its functions would now have to be carried out by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of AP within AP limits.

The decision is being seen as another flash-point between the centre and state government after Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP withdrew from the NDA earlier this year.

Naidu, who has been trying to mobilise opposition parties ahead of 2019 general elections, has in recent months accused the BJP and YSR Congress of plotting to destabilise the government.

He has repeatedly alleged that the Centre was using central institutions, including the CBI and the I-T department, to threaten the state and his ministers for demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh.