TDP National General Secretary and AP Minister Nara Lokesh has made serious allegations against former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, claiming that a massive liquor scam took place during the previous government’s tenure. Lokesh alleged that thousands of crores of rupees were illegally generated through the liquor trade despite promises of prohibition made during the 2019 elections.
Taking to social media, Lokesh claimed that kickbacks worth around ₹100 crore were allegedly collected every month under the previous administration. According to him, nearly ₹3,500 crore was laundered as part of the alleged scam. He also pointed out that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had reportedly traced a cash trail of about ₹1,048 crore during its investigation.
Lokesh questioned whether the alleged financial irregularities were connected to the prohibition promise made by Jagan Mohan Reddy during the 2019 election campaign. He said that while the government publicly spoke about implementing prohibition in phases, illegal liquor operations continued to flourish across the state.
The TDP leader alleged that the illegal liquor network had a devastating impact on thousands of families in Andhra Pradesh. According to him, many households suffered due to the spread of illicit liquor while individuals close to the previous government allegedly benefited financially.
Lokesh also accused the former administration of misleading the public by presenting prohibition as a key welfare promise while allowing an illegal liquor ecosystem to operate in the background. He said the alleged scam not only damaged the state’s governance standards but also raised serious concerns about corruption in the liquor policy.
In his remarks, Lokesh directly questioned Jagan Mohan Reddy and asked whether he would respond to the allegations. He challenged the former Chief Minister to explain the alleged financial irregularities and clarify the role of his government in the liquor policy during its tenure.
The allegations have once again intensified political tensions between the ruling coalition and the opposition in Andhra Pradesh. While leaders of the Telugu Desam Party are demanding answers and accountability, leaders of the YSR Congress Party have not yet issued an official response to Lokesh’s latest claims.
The issue is likely to become a major political flashpoint in the state, especially as investigations by central agencies continue and political parties trade accusations over corruption and governance during the previous regime.
