Rajamahendravaram, July 23: Former Minister and Punganur MLA Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy has criticised the coalition government, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, of orchestrating the largest liquor scam in the country’s history.
Speaking to the media after visiting YSRCP MP Mithun Reddy, who is currently in remand at Rajamahendravaram Central Jail, alongside former Home Minister Taneti Vanitha and former MP Margani Bharat, Peddireddi condemned the government for plunging Andhra Pradesh into a state of corruption and mismanagement, branding it “Madhyandhra Pradesh” due to rampant liquor-related malpractices. He asserted that the coalition’s policies have not only revived illicit liquor trade but also eroded public welfare, contrasting sharply with the transparent and controlled liquor policies under the YSRCP regime.
Peddireddi highlighted that during the YSRCP’s tenure under Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, liquor sales were tightly regulated, with private liquor shops replaced by government-run outlets, leading to a significant reduction in sales while increasing state revenue to Rs. 25,000 crore annually by the end of their term. In contrast, he pointed out that the previous TDP regime (2014-19) generated only Rs. 17,000 crore in its final year, despite higher liquor sales, indicating widespread corruption. “Under Chandrababu’s rule, liquor sales have surged, but state revenue has plummeted. If this isn’t evidence of corruption, what is?” Peddireddi questioned, accusing the coalition of privatizing liquor shops, flouting MRP regulations, enabling door-delivery of alcohol, and allowing illegal belt shops and spurious liquor to proliferate across villages and wards.
The former minister also lambasted the coalition for its vindictive politics, alleging that false cases are being fabricated against YSRCP leaders to suppress dissent. “Since assuming power, this government has targeted YSRCP cadres with baseless charges, sending them to jails in a Taliban-like regime,” he declared, emphasizing that such tactics would not intimidate the party. Peddireddi further criticized the government for denying basic facilities to jailed public representatives like MP Mithun Reddy, calling it a violation of their legal rights. “If the government fails to provide statutory amenities, we will take the matter to court,” he warned, underscoring the coalition’s disregard for democratic norms.
Former Home Minister Taneti Vanitha echoed these sentiments, alleging that MP Mithun Reddy was falsely implicated in a liquor scam to tarnish YSRCP’s legacy. She emphasized that the YSRCP government had eradicated belt shops, reduced liquor sales by 30%, and raised prices to curb consumption, while the current regime has reversed these reforms, fostering corruption and endangering public health with adulterated liquor. Former MP Margani Bharat added that the YSRCP would expose the coalition’s conspiracies to the public, asserting that no amount of illegal arrests would deter their resolve. He accused Naidu of deflecting attention from his own Rs. 370 crore skill development scam by framing YSRCP leaders, citing the TDP’s history of reducing privilege fees by Rs. 3,000 crore to enable corruption.
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