YSRCP MP Midhun Reddy arrested in liquor policy case, party alleges ‘political vendetta’ by Andhra CM Naidu

Reddy is accused No. 4 in the case, which, according to the SIT, pertains to the liquor policy of the previous YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh that was allegedly tailor-made to benefit some local liquor brands. Police have accused YSRCP leaders and bureaucrats of replacing popular liquor brands with lesser-known brands in exchange for bribes to the tune of Rs 3,200 crore.

Officials said that as per Reddy’s arrest notice, he is a “core conspirator from inception to execution, orchestrating policy changes and coordinating with co-accused to secure kickbacks from distilleries and suppliers”. The notice also says that the “transaction trail (between various entities embroiled in the case) indicates the use of front or shell companies for laundering kickbacks, warranting further investigation into potential quid pro quo”, officials said.

Further, the SIT has alleged that the “ill-gotten money was spent during General Elections 2024 within several constituencies in the state for obtaining undue political advantage”.

Meanwhile. YSRCP “strongly condemned the arrest” of Reddy, calling it a “clear case of political vendetta by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu”. In a press statement, former ministers Botsa Satyanarayana, Perni Venkatramaiah (Nani), Ambati Rambabu, Merugu Nagarjuna, and party general secretary G Srikanth Reddy expressed “serious concerns over the misuse of power to target Opposition leaders”.

The statement called it a political conspiracy and an attempt to suppress dissent. The YSRCP said that during its tenure in government, the liquor policy was transparent and handled directly by the state. The number of liquor shops was reduced and belt shops and permit rooms were removed, it claimed. The statement also said that the current government led by Naidu “committed several irregularities in liquor sales”.