Senior TDP leader and Sarvepalli MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy has made serious allegations against the previous YCP government, claiming that transactions worth ₹1.30 lakh crore took place in liquor shops during their tenure. Speaking to the media, Somireddy pointed out that this staggering volume of cash-based transactions could potentially set a world record for the highest number of cash dealings in the liquor business, especially at a time when the entire country has moved toward digital payments under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to Somireddy, while India embraced digital transactions across sectors, the liquor business in Andhra Pradesh remained predominantly cash-based during the YCP regime. This anomaly has raised widespread suspicion regarding financial irregularities. He emphasized that the unusually high volume of cash dealings at wine shops under YCP's rule deserved thorough scrutiny.
Raghu Ramakrishna Raju (RRR), a Member of Parliament who has often been vocal against former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, had repeatedly alleged during YCP’s term that the state government was systematically looting public funds by enforcing cash transactions in the liquor trade. RRR had openly challenged the YCP government to shift liquor sales to digital payment platforms to ensure transparency. However, no such orders were issued, further fueling allegations of financial misconduct. Adding to the controversy, the Andhra Pradesh Beverages Corporation, which oversees the state's liquor supply chain from manufacturing to retail distribution, was brought under complete government control. Reports suggest that several liquor distilleries operating during this period were closely associated with YCP-backed leaders.
TDP leaders, including Somireddy, have criticized the YCP regime for not fulfilling its pre-election promise of enforcing liquor prohibition. Instead, they alleged that the government capitalized on the liquor trade for personal gains. They accused the YCP administration of embezzling a significant portion of the profits earned through liquor sales, which should have ideally contributed to the state's revenue and welfare programs. Another grave concern raised by TDP leaders relates to the quality of liquor sold during the YCP tenure. Reputed national and international liquor brands were allegedly banned from operating in Andhra Pradesh for a continuous period of five years. In their place, several unfamiliar brands like "President Medal," "Boom Boom," and "Special Status" flooded the market. Consumers were left with no choice but to purchase these lesser-known brands, often manufactured under questionable quality standards. There were serious allegations that substandard liquor was being repackaged and sold under new brand names, raising significant public health concerns.
The emergence of these 'anonymous brands' raised alarms not only about financial irregularities but also about the potential health hazards posed to consumers. Critics argue that the absence of established quality control mechanisms allowed the proliferation of low-quality liquor products, endangering the lives of thousands. Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy concluded by demanding that the alleged liquor scam be thoroughly investigated by either the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the Special Investigation Team (SIT). He stressed the need for a transparent probe to uncover the truth behind the alleged financial and health scandals that tainted the liquor business in Andhra Pradesh during the YCP regime. The allegations have reignited political tensions in the state, with the liquor business once again taking center stage in the ongoing battle between the TDP and the YCP. As calls for a high-level investigation grow louder, all eyes are on the central agencies to see if a formal probe will be launched into what TDP leaders are calling one of the largest financial scams in Andhra Pradesh’s history.
