India, Nov. 1 -- Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday marked three years since his release from Rajahmundry Central Prison, recalling the 53 days he spent in custody and thanking the people who stood by him during what he called the hardest phase of a political career spanning four and a half decades.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister said he was picked up at Nandyal in the small hours, with no notice served on him. He described the arrest as unlawful and politically motivated, and alleged that the government of the day wanted to silence the opposition for questioning its administration. The accusations have not been independently verified.

Naidu said a court verdict paved the way for his return to public life,...