Sack Andhra ministers linked with liquor mafia: TDP

Telugu Desam Party President N Chandrababu Naidu has appealed to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to immediately remove the tainted ministers who allegedly have links with the liquor mafia.

In an open letter addressed to common people, the former chief minister also demanded making public the entire contents of the Anti-Corruption Bureau report on its investigations into the liquor syndicates. "It was deplorable that the state Congress president and Transport Minister Botsa Satyanarayana has admitted to having stakes in 31 liquor shops in his native Vizianagaram district," Naidu said.

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"Health Minister D L Ravindra Reddy alleged that the name of Horticulture Minister Ramireddy Venkat Reddy was removed from the ACB remand report despite his name figuring in the liquor syndicate's diary. Major Irrigation Minister Sudarshan Reddy himself announced that his family is into the liquor business while Excise Minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana obtained liquor distribution dealerships in two states in the name of his son," the TDP chief pointed out.

The ACB remand report also mentioned that Rs 40 lakh was paid as bribe to the personal assistant of Roads and Buildings Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao as well as his close relatives in Srikakulam district, he said. "It has been established that 12 MPs and 70 MLAs and MLCs have links with the liquor mafia. The sixth page in the ACB remand report has been mysteriously removed as it would fully expose everyone," Naidu alleged.

"The chief minister should break his silence and order a comprehensive inquiry into the activities of liquor mafia. It is highly regrettable that the chief minister has not opened his mouth despite knowing the fact that a staggering Rs 5,000 crore has changed hands in the form of kickbacks among the liquor mafia, some ministers and legislators," he said.

The ACB raids on liquor syndicates in different parts of the state have clearly exposed the nexus between traders, excise officials, police, ministers, legislators and leaders of the ruling Congress, Naidu said.

"They are sucking people's blood and amassing crores of rupees of wealth and thereby mocking the democratic system. Andhra Pradesh is getting destroyed due to unabated sale of liquor," the Leader of Opposition said.

Earlier, talking to reporters after the Assembly was adjourned for the day, Naidu asserted that TDP would continue its "relentless fight" against the liquor mafia. "We will step up our struggle against liquor, even if our own party members are involved in liquor syndicates at some places," he added.