Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, former Chief Minister and President of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), has launched a sharp critique against Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Reddy claims that under Naidu’s leadership, Andhra Pradesh has become the leading state for the illicit and spurious liquor trade nationwide.
Speaking out on Sunday, Reddy specifically condemned a recent incident in Mulakalacheruvu, Annamayya district. This incident, he stated, revealed that leaders from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) were allegedly running a counterfeit liquor factory.
According to Reddy, this event clearly exposes a deeply entrenched liquor mafia that has thrived under Naidu’s governance. He emphasized, “This isn’t merely illegal trade; it’s an organized criminal enterprise that threatens lives and defrauds the state treasury.”
Reddy further alleged that Chief Minister Naidu intentionally dismantled government-operated liquor stores, effectively handing over control to a private, syndicate-led network. He claimed that numerous liquor shops, “belt shops” (unlicensed outlets), and illegal permit rooms are now operating under the direct patronage of the TDP, with illicit liquor manufacturing units functioning without hindrance.
“Reports indicate that a shocking one out of every three liquor bottles sold in Andhra Pradesh is counterfeit,” Reddy asserted, highlighting the grave danger allegedly created by the TDP’s policies.
To underscore the alleged financial impropriety, Reddy cited data from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). He pointed out that in the first five months of the Financial Year 2024–25, when government outlets managed liquor sales, the excise revenue collected was ₹6,782.21 crore.
However, in FY 2025–26, under what Reddy termed the TDP’s “free-for-all” approach, revenue saw only a marginal increase to ₹6,992.77 crore, a mere 3.10% rise. He argued, “Typically, natural growth alone should be around 10%. This discrepancy clearly indicates that the state’s legitimate income is being diverted, all while public health remains severely compromised.”
Reddy further alleged that numerous counterfeit liquor operations are emerging across North Andhra, the Godavari districts, and Rayalaseema. Despite these discoveries, he claimed that investigations into these rackets are consistently being weakened or suppressed.
Specifically referring to the Mulakalacheruvu case, Reddy asserted that local police protected a senior TDP official and his associates, attempting instead to shift blame onto external individuals. “This entire criminal network functions with the explicit awareness, guidance, and protection of Mr. Naidu and his inner circle. The health and lives of our citizens are being sacrificed for the illicit financial gains of a single political party,” Reddy passionately declared.
Demanding immediate accountability, the YSRCP chief directly held Naidu responsible for what he characterized as a systematic plunder facilitated by counterfeit liquor and organized mafia operations. He posed a direct question to the Chief Minister: “Is it just that for personal enrichment, you are jeopardizing public health and pilfering the state treasury?”