Amaravathi: YS Jaganmohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government on Thursday (June 6) cancelled a controversial government order issued by the previous Chandrababu Naidu-led dispensation, paving the way for the CBI to probe various cases in Andhra Pradesh.

On November 8, 2018, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) had issued a government order (GO) withdrawing the "general consent" accorded to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to carry out investigations and raids in the state.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, the government hereby withdraws the general consent accorded (in GO Ms 109) to all the members of the Delhi Special Police Establishment to exercise the powers and jurisdiction under the said Act in the state of Andhra Pradesh," the GO had said.

The then Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister (Home) N China Rajappa had said the reason to withdraw the consent was allegations against the top officials of the country's premier investigation agency.

The Andhra Pradesh government bestowed powers upon itself to launch a corruption probe against central government employees as well through the state's anti-corruption bureau.

The YSRCP that assumed power on May 30 issued a fresh order on Thursday (June 6) cancelling the GO 176 issued on November 8.

Based on the directions of YS Jaganmohan Reddy, special chief secretary Manmohan Singh issued GO 81 to this effect.

"The order issued on November 8, 2018, is hereby cancelled under the provisions of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946," it said.

The CBI will now have all powers to take up corruption and other cases in Andhra Pradesh.

The premier investigative agency functions under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.

Under Section 6 of the Act, a state government "routinely" grants consent to the CBI for exercising its authority in the state and the Andhra Pradesh government, too, had issued relevant orders periodically.

Ever since Naidu snapped ties with the Narendra Modi-led NDA government in March last year, Naidu had been alleging that the Centre was misusing agencies like the CBI to target political opponents.