Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's close aide, CM Ramesh was in for a shock when Income Tax Sleuths knocked at his doors this morning. The IT officials conducted raids at the offices and residence of the TDP MP. The Income Tax authorities conducted simultaneous raids at his properties in Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Kadapa. The raids are underway.

It is learnt that the assets of CM Ramesh are disproportionate to his income which triggered the raids. The IT officials are examining his properties, documents and letters to check for any discrepancy.

The buzz in the political circles is that CM Ramesh is the AP CM's Man Friday and reportedly also one of his proxies. It may be recalled that TDP leaders have themselves openly declared on several occasions about Chandrababu allegedly awarding Ramesh huge contracts post 2014 elections. The IT raids assume significance in this context.

Also Read:Chandrababu Naidu In A State Of Panic Over Income Tax Raids: YS Jagan

CM Ramesh is reoportedly in Delhi right now. The IT officials team comrpised over a 100 personnel who raided his houses and offices. In the Jubilee Hills office of Rithwik Projects said to be owned by CM Ramesh's relative, there were more than 30 IT officials according to a Sakshi TV correspondent present at the location.

There had been widespread criticism against the Chandrababu Naidu government in the past that most major contracts were being awarded to firms owned by CM Ramesh and his associates in fliagrant violation of rules. It is said that CM Ramesh's firms were awarded these contracts through a process of nomination which itself was a major violation of established rules and procedures.

Among the project works assigned to CM Ramesh's firms were some of these...

Handri Neeva Phase 2 packages 2,3,4,5,6 to the extent of Rs 1000 crores through a process of nomination. Similarly, Handri Neeva expansion work was given to his company at a cost of Rs 195 crores, while Handri Neeva 34th package was given at an estimated cost of Rs 234 crores, Kuppam branch canal work at Rs 522 crores, Handri Neeva expansion work at Rs 195 crores, work in 26,27,29 package in Galeru and Nagari at Rs 350 crores. Guntakallu branch canal at Rs 172 crores, Veligonda tunnel work at Rs 270 crores, Gandikota resettlement and road construction work at Rs 106 crores and Telugu Ganga lining work at Rs 289 crores.

The criticism against CM Ramesh has been that the estimates were inflated in the case of all projects awarded to him. Political analysts describe him as a member of the core team of AP CM Chandrababu Naidu and one of his important proxies.