Jagan calls liquor scam allegations a ‘sham’

Despite no evidence to prove that the scam occurred during the YSRCP’s tenure, retired civil servants and YSRCP leaders are being targeted, says the former Chief Minister

Close on the heels of the arrest of retired IAS officer and former Secretary in the CMO, K. Dhanunjaya Reddy and Officer on Special Duty (OSD) P. Krishna Mohan Reddy in the alleged liquor scam, YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has said that the liquor scam is a sham.

“Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who was named an accused in the liquor scam that occurred between 2014 and 2019, is trying to nullify the case. Though there is no evidence to prove the government’s claim about the scam that occurred during the YSRCP’s tenure, retired civil servants and YSRCP leaders are being targeted,” Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy told the media on Wednesday.

Mr. Naidu is on bail in the liquor scam that took place during his tenure. His signatures prove his involvement. But in the scam that allegedly occurred during the YSRCP’s tenure, the government is resorting to arm-twisting to produce false evidence and force people to turn approvers, he said.

“The statements of Vasudev Reddy, who is desperate to go back to his home department or V. Vijaya Sai Reddy, who vacated his MP seat to benefit the NDA coalition, will not cut any ice. Vasudev Reddy had moved court alleging harassment by the government. Kasireddy did not yield to the government pressure, which is why his name was included in the case. There was no response when Rajampet MP Mithun Reddy asked to show the Google takeout to show his presence in the meeting,” he said.

“There was no involvement of CMO or Dhanunjaya Reddy or others,” Mr. Jagan said.

Asked whether he would be arrested in the liquor scam, Mr. Jagan said,” If they want it they are welcome. What is stopping them (government)? Mr. Naidu will face a serious backlash, he said.

Referring to Amaravati, Mr. Jagan Mohan said despite Amaravati being touted as a self-financed project, the government has been taking huge loans and “giving mobilisation advance for kickbacks”. “Corruption is rampant, with PPAs being signed at ₹4.60 per unit for 25 years, and the scam runs into ₹11,000 crore. An unconstitutional method was adopted in issuing NMDC bonds to raise ₹9,000 crore by allowing private parties’ access to the consolidated fund,” he said.

Published - May 23, 2025 02:05 am IST