Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy alleges major irregularities in the previous YSRCP liquor policy and says investigations should proceed based on evidence and law.
Mangalagiri: Andhra Pradesh Housing Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy accused the previous YSRCP government of serious irregularities in its liquor policy and alleged that efforts were now being made to divert attention from the investigation by invoking caste, religion and political issues.
Addressing a press conference at the TDP Central Office, Parthasarathy said allegations and investigations should be assessed on the basis of evidence and the alleged financial loss caused to the State, rather than the social identity of those facing investigation.
Parthasarathy alleged that advisers appointed during the previous government were used to influence administrative decisions relating to sand and liquor policies rather than serve public interests.
Referring to the investigation involving former minister Karumuri Venkata Nageswara Rao and his family members, he said taking a transport contract was not illegal by itself. The issue, he argued, was whether government officials or agents provided improper support to such contracts.
The Minister alleged that liquor transportation charges were increased from around Rs. 13 to Rs. 35 per carton, resulting in an estimated loss of nearly Rs. 400 crore to the State.
He said a central investigative agency had examined the allegations, gathered evidence and initiated legal proceedings.
Parthasarathy alleged that the investigation had uncovered fake companies, financial transactions through transport operators and the alleged use of diverted funds during elections.
He also referred to alleged roles of Raj Kasireddy and former official Vasudeva Reddy, saying the investigation had brought several aspects of the previous liquor policy under scrutiny.
The Minister said those facing allegations should present their defence before the courts if they believed the charges were unfounded. He noted that accused persons had approached various courts seeking relief, including bail.
Parthasarathy accused the YSRCP of attempting to portray the investigation as an attack on BCs and other weaker sections.
He said weaker sections, Dalits and minorities should not be used as political shields in matters involving alleged corruption or financial irregularities.
The Coalition Government, he said, would continue to focus on welfare and respect for weaker sections while allowing investigative agencies and courts to follow due process.
The Minister also criticised the previous government over allegations concerning liquor quality, claiming that consumers had complained about poor-quality and spurious liquor.
He said the Coalition Government had made commonly available brands from across the country available in Andhra Pradesh and claimed that the present policy was aimed at ensuring transparency and protecting consumer interests.
Parthasarathy cautioned people against social media posts showing liquor brands allegedly not introduced by the present government and falsely attributing them to the Coalition Government.
Parthasarathy said the Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation were independent Central agencies and were not controlled by the State Government.
He questioned the YSRCP's allegations of political vendetta and said those confident of their innocence should establish their position before the courts.
He further alleged that money linked to the previous liquor policy had been channelled into real estate and mining-related businesses outside the State and that transactions involving family members and women's accounts had also come under scrutiny.
The Minister said such allegations should be examined through the legal process and urged all parties to allow investigations and court proceedings to continue without turning them into a caste or political controversy.
