In a shocking development, the arrest of two former high-ranking officials with close ties to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has sent shockwaves through the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). The arrests of ex-IAS officer K. Dhanunjay Reddy and retired official P. Krishna Mohan Reddy, both of whom held key positions in Reddy’s previous administration, have raised serious concerns within the party.
The two officials were taken into custody by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for their alleged involvement in a liquor scam that has rocked the state. According to sources, the investigation has uncovered evidence of corruption and irregularities in the procurement and distribution of liquor licenses, with the former officials at the heart of the scandal.
The YSRCP, which has maintained a tight grip on power since Jagan Mohan Reddy’s landslide victory in the 2019 state elections, is now facing a crisis of confidence. Party leaders have expressed their alarm over the arrests, fearing the potential fallout on the government’s reputation and Reddy’s leadership.
“This is a deeply concerning development for the YSRCP,” said a senior party official, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “The involvement of such high-ranking officials in this liquor scam has sent shockwaves through the party. We are closely monitoring the situation and will take all necessary steps to protect the party’s image and the Chief Minister’s reputation.”
The liquor scam investigation has been a thorn in the side of the YSRCP government for some time, with the opposition parties, particularly the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), repeatedly raising the issue and alleging widespread corruption in the state’s liquor trade. The latest arrests have only served to bolster their claims and put the YSRCP on the defensive.
As the CBI continues its probe, the YSRCP is faced with the challenge of navigating the political fallout and containing the damage to its public image. The party’s leadership is under immense pressure to address the concerns of its supporters and demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability in governance.
The arrests of Dhanunjay Reddy and Krishna Mohan Reddy have undoubtedly shaken the foundations of the YSRCP’s power base, and the party’s ability to weather this storm will be a crucial test of its political resilience in the years to come.
