Mon Feb 24 00:50:00 UTC 2025: ## YSRC Leader Arrested in Vijayawada Spa Raid Sparks Controversy in Tirupati
**TIRUPATI, February 24, 2025** – The arrest of Vaditya Shankarnaik, a leader of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), in a Vijayawada spa center has sent shockwaves through Tirupati and sparked widespread debate across Andhra Pradesh. Shankarnaik’s arrest, during a police raid on a spa allegedly involved in prostitution, has raised questions about his background and activities.
Shankarnaik, originally from a tribal village near Dharmavaram in Anantapur district, rose to prominence through student activism in Tirupati. He began his career in a left-wing student organization before founding a tribal student association and later, a tribal welfare organization. He gained recognition for filing an atrocity case against the then-TTD EO, LV Subrahmanyam, accusing him of discrimination against tribal communities.
His activism led him into the political arena, where he aligned himself with the YSRCP, often criticizing former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. His work supporting YSRCP candidates during the 2019 elections led to a close relationship with advisor to the Chief Minister, Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, ultimately securing him the position of a member of the state’s ST Commission.
However, his tenure was marked by accusations of interfering in the management of welfare hostels and gurukuls, and allegations of harassing officials and staff. Critics point to an increasingly assertive style during his time in the cabinet-rank position at the ST Commission, which recently ended. Sources close to Shankarnaik claim he rose from poverty to a position of considerable financial comfort during his time in Tirupati.
The release of photographs and videos allegedly showing Shankarnaik hiding under a bed in the spa has stunned former associates and student organizations in Tirupati, who are grappling with the implications of his arrest. The incident raises serious questions about the conduct of a prominent politician and former member of the ST Commission. The investigation is ongoing.
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