Latest news with #ChevireddyBhaskarReddy
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Liquor kickbacks bankrolled YSRCP's polls, African forays: AP probe
New Delhi: The chargesheet filed by Andhra Pradesh police into the alleged ₹3,500 crore liquor scam points to a well-oiled web of kickbacks paid by private distillers once in five days, involvement of gold merchants to facilitate bribes and use of payoffs by former chief minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy's YSRCP in 2024 elections . The 317-page chargesheet, filed in a Vijaywada court and accessed by ET, names Reddy's former advisor Kesireddy Raja Shekhar Reddy as the mastermind of the alleged scam and former Rajya Sabha MP Vijai Sai Reddy and Lok Sabha MP P V Midhun Reddy as co-accused. The state CID has alleged in the chargesheet that YSRCP functionaries facilitated a policy change-from an automated market-driven system of raising demand for liquor cases to a manual system-to edge out known brands and promote selected manufacturers and distilleries who were coerced into paying kickbacks. According to the chargesheet, officials who were willing to play along were posted in Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited (APSBCL). Though Reddy had promised complete prohibition and the new liquor policy introduced in 2019 was touted as a step towards this election promise, the reverse happened with specific brands capturing the market. "Even though the new policy i.e., sale of liquor through GROs, was intended as a step towards complete ban of liquor in the state of Andhra Pradesh, it only envisaged a new mode and manner of sale, but not otherwise. Evidently, the policy was introduced with an underlying intent of having full control over the supply and sale of liquor, thereby to achieve their broader goal of earning commissions/kickbacks," the chargesheet said. Live Events According to the CID probe, the kickbacks were handed over to main accused Kesireddy Rajashekar Reddy, who allegedly channelled the money into a web of shell companies, before distributing it among others. The chargesheet pegs the monthly kickbacks at ₹50-60 crore and overall extent at ₹3,570.87 crore. The chargesheet alleges kickback per case of liquor. It says while the kickback was ₹150 per case for cheaper brands, it was ₹200-350 for medium priced and ₹600 for more expensive brands. The state CID has alleged that money from kickbacks was used during elections in 2024 and after YSRCP lost, it scouted for iron ore business in African countries to channel this money. The chargesheet names former MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy and says he was instrumental in moving cash from Hyderabad and other locations to specific constituencies. "During the course of investigation into the present crime, it was revealed that Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy would direct his close aides to transport cash from Hyderabad, Vijayawada and other places to several constituencies around Prakasam and Chittoor," the chargesheet said.
Hans India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
TDP using police to harass YSRCP workers: Karumuri
Ongole: The YSR Congress Party Prakasam district coordinator Karumuri Nageswara Rao alleged that the Telugu Desam Party leaders are using the police department to harass and threaten the YSRCP workers at the ground level. He advised the police personnel to maintain law and order without any prejudice or partiality. The YSRCP coordinator Nageswara Rao, Ongole parliamentary constituency in-charge Dr Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, Prakasam district president and Darsi MLA Dr Buchepalli Siva Prasad Reddy, observer Battula Brahmananda Reddy, and other leaders met at their district office in Ongole on Monday. They discussed the formation of the party committees up to the village and booth level, and strengthening them. Speaking at the press meet later, Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy said that the YSRCP leaders in the district are passionately working and conducting the party programmes well. He said that they discussed strengthening the party and doing justice to the party cadre. Siva Prasad Reddy said that the CIs and SIs are harassing the YSRCP workers by registering false cases and manhandling them. He alleged that the police, who should maintain law and order impartially, are working under the direction of the TDP MLAs. He warned that if the situation continues, the YSRCP leaders would plan a massive protest soon. Nageswara Rao alleged that the police are following the Red Book rule in the state, and making reasonless arrests and torturing the YSRCP cadre. He announced that the YSRCP leaders would start an agitation soon, and warned the police to mend their ways as the TDP government is not permanent. He observed that about 70 per cent of the TDP cadre have lost confidence in their leadership now, as they are suffering at the ground level. He demanded the Chief Minister Chanadrababu Naidu to implement all Super Six promises immediately and provide the Minimum Support Price for the crops. He said that the people are observing everything, including how the TDP leadership is generating income for its leaders by using Amaravati to receive kickbacks. Former minister Merugu Nagarjuna, ZP Chairperson Buchepalli Venkayamma, Yerragondapalem MLA Tatiparti Chandrasekhar, former MLA Anna Rambabu, and others also participated in the meeting.
