Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh – The newly-formed State government in Andhra Pradesh is facing significant embarrassment after raids by the State Excise Department unearthed illegal liquor manufacturing units, allegedly run by leaders of the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP). The revelation comes just as the government is actively pursuing cases against YSRCP leaders regarding alleged irregularities in the previous regime’s liquor policy.
The raids, conducted by the Excise officials, led to the discovery of three hidden manufacturing dumps in Mulakalacheruvu (Chittoor), Ibrahimpatnam (NTR district), and Anantapur. Reports indicate a fourth plant was being prepared at Palakollu to supply illegal liquor to belt shops across the state.
TDP Leaders Named as Kingpins
The alleged kingpins of the ‘illegal liquor scam’ have been identified as B. Jayachandra Reddy and Surendra Naidu, both associated with the TDP. Jayachandra Reddy had contested on a TDP ticket from the Thamballapalli assembly segment in Chittoor district in the 2024 assembly elections. Excise officials have filed cases against 19 persons and taken 12 into custody, with most of the accused reportedly belonging to the TDP. The remand report details that the arrested individuals were printing labels of popular brands and selling the counterfeit liquor through belt shops, allegedly in connivance with local excise staff, leading to earnings of crores of rupees.
SIT Launched Against Previous Government
The current situation is particularly awkward for the TD government, which recently appointed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and filed cases against 39 individuals, including YSRCP MPs and former leaders, over allegations of illegally profiting from the liquor policy during the tenure of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy. The TDP government has been vocally campaigning against the alleged false liquor policy of the previous regime, even as the latest scandal involves its own party members.
Questions over the Timing of the Raids
The decision by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s government to prompt the raids has raised ‘a million dollar question,’ according to observers. Critics question why the government chose to conduct official raids, leading to public exposure, when alternative, less damaging methods to halt the illegal operations might have been available, especially given the political affiliation of the accused. The Ibrahimpatnam unit, for example, is noted to be just 20 km from the AP capital, Amaravati, raising suspicions about the level of local political support.
In response, Education Minister Nara Lokesh claimed that the government ordered the raids despite the involvement of their own party leaders, who have since been suspended from the party. However, some TDP insiders, speaking anonymously, stated that the official approach has created a “difficult situation to convince the cadre” and suggested such matters should have been “suppressed silently for the sake of the party” instead of inviting public damage control efforts.
Alleged Inter-State Operations and ‘Trap’ Speculation
Further inquiry revealed startling details, including plans by the illegal liquor traders to supply the unpermitted product from the Mulakanoor and Anantapur dens to the neighboring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Adding another layer of complexity, sources suggest a possible ‘trap’ led to the unearthing of the scam. It is reported that the kingpin, B. Jayachandra Reddy, had sought the support of a local YSRCP leader in Chittoor, offering a share of the profits in exchange for minimizing opposition hurdles.
The crucial information was allegedly passed on, eventually reaching an excise official eager to prove himself to a key minister. This official reportedly received distorted intelligence, suggesting that the illegal units were being run by YSRCP leaders. Acting on this mistaken premise, the official conducted surprise raids, only to discover the “intricating facts” pointing towards the TDP leaders. The Telugu Desam government, reportedly shocked by the findings, has since claimed ownership of the raids in an attempt to manage the escalating embarrassment. The Telugu proverb, “vidhi Vaichitri” (nobody knows the destiny of one), is being cited by many as an apt description for the current predicament of the NDA government.
Principle Correspondent, Prime Post
CS Kulasekhar Reddy had thirty five years experience in journalism. He worked in Udayam and Andhra Bhoomi as reporter and sub-editor. He highlighted various social issues in Chitthoor, Ananthpur, Kadapa and Kurnool districts. He covered assembly sessions and Secretariat happenings.
