Tadepalli (Andhra Pradesh) [India], October 5 (ANI): Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has slammed TDP Chief and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for turning Andhra Pradesh into the “number one state” in the spurious liquor trade.
In a post on X, Reddy stated that a shocking incident in Mulakalacheruvu, Annamayya district, and the involvement of TDP leaders exposed the deep-rooted liquor mafia nurtured by Chandrababu Naidu’s leadership.
“You, who have become the brand ambassador for liquor, are now determined to make the state the number one destination for counterfeit liquor. The incident where your party leaders set up a counterfeit liquor manufacturing factory in Mulakalacheruvu, Annamayya district, and supplied it is a testament to the illegality of liquor in the state,” Jagan Reddy said.
“It is not about increasing the wealth of the state, but from top to bottom, they are sharing the illegal income earned by your party leaders at the risk of people’s lives through liquor syndicates and counterfeit liquor manufacturing. This racket is continuing in an organised manner,” Reddy added.
YSRCP chief said that Naidu deliberately dismantled government liquor shops and replaced them with a syndicate-driven private network.
Liquor shops, belt shops, and illegal permit rooms are controlled by TDP leaders, as Jagan further accused the government of allegedly encouraging illicit liquor manufacturing.
The YSRCP chief alleged that investigations into counterfeit liquor rackets, which have emerged across North Andhra, the Godavari districts, and Rayalaseema, are being deliberately diluted.
“Adulterated liquor cases have been coming to light across the state for a few months. These incidents have come to light in Uttar Andhra, Godavari districts, and now in Rayalaseema. But the investigation and probe are going on at a snail’s pace. The reason is, your TDP people, who are your benami, are behind these irregularities. If there was any sincerity to stop this, after the Mulakalacheruvu incident, extensive inspections would have been carried out in the liquor shops and belt shops that supplied it, and adulterated bottles would have been seized. But that did not happen,” added Reddy.
Hence, he demanded accountability from Chandrababu Naidu and held him responsible for turning Andhra Pradesh’s liquor sector into a hub of fake liquor, the belt shop mafia, and systematic loot. “For the sake of personal wealth, you are gambling with public health and robbing the state treasury. Is this justice?” YS Jagan asked. (ANI)