Coalition using SIT as political tool in liquor case 

 
Tadepalli, April 28: YSRCP State Legal Cell President, Manohar Reddy, termed the liquor case as a politically motivated witch-hunt, built on baseless allegations and procedural violations.

He revealed that the case originated merely from letters sent by unknown individual, "Venkateswara Srinivas," with no proven connection to the liquor trade. Instead of lodging formal complaints, the authorities accepted postal letters and bypassed standard inquiry protocols. Within just nine days, an "investigation" was allegedly completed without transparency about those questioned or the evidence gathered.

Reddy criticized the SIT for operating without a designated police station or CCTV surveillance, undermining investigation integrity. He accused the SIT officers of acting under political pressure, systematically targeting former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and senior YSRCP leaders, and harassing respected industrialists with fabricated charges.

Highlighting key irregularities, he pointed out that Raj Kasireddy did not sign any confession, as recognized by the courts, and individuals like Chanakya and Sridhar Reddy were coerced into making false statements. Yet, a section of the "yellow media" continues to spread misinformation to malign the YSRCP.

Manohar Reddy reminded that during Chandrababu Naidu’s tenure, liquor syndicates caused an estimated Rs. 5,000 crore loss to the state, with 53% procurement controlled by just four companies, facts also highlighted in CAG audit reports. In contrast, the liquor policy under Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy reduced liquor outlets by 33%, cut consumption, and ended private syndication.

He lambasted the current NDA coalition (TDP-BJP-JSP) government for reversing these reforms, with illegal belt shops proliferating and liquor sales surging unchecked.

Challenging the government, Manohar Reddy asked if they had the courage to order a CBI probe into liquor scams during the TDP era. "If you have nothing to hide, why not accept an impartial investigation?" he demanded.

He also posed sharp questions: Does privatizing liquor sales signify better governance?. Are illegal belt shops a symbol of transparency? If liquor sales fell during YSRCP rule, how could a scam exist?

Concluding, Manohar reiterated that under Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, governance left no scope for corruption. He warned that the ongoing political vendetta against YSRCP leaders, including Mithun Reddy, through fabricated cases and harassment, would face strong legal counteraction.