A key development has taken place in the AP liquor scam. While it appeared over the past few days that the Andhra Pradesh government had reduced its aggressiveness in this case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has now stepped in. The ED has issued notices to YSRCP former MP Vijayasai Reddy. Earlier, the ED had taken up this case and questioned several people. It is also reported that a great deal of crucial information was collected. In this context, in connection with the AP liquor scam, the ED has directed Vijayasai Reddy to appear before it on the 22nd of this month. The ED officials, who have already conducted an extensive investigation in this case, are now said to be focusing on key leaders. The ED suspects that large-scale illegal transactions took place in the AP liquor scam. From the beginning, there have been suspicions that during the implementation of the liquor policy, large-scale hawala transactions and money laundering occurred.
ED officials estimate that not only political leaders and officials but also private individuals were involved in this matter. In this context, the sudden issuance of notices to Vijayasai Reddy has become a topic of discussion in political circles. It is learnt that the officials, who have already questioned several people, are preparing for further action after collecting crucial evidence. It is well known that Vijayasai Reddy is said to have provided key information to the SIT officials in connection with the Andhra Pradesh liquor scam. On one occasion, Vijayasai Reddy himself revealed to the media that Kasireddy Rajasekhar Reddy was a key person involved in this case.
Later, officials who were very close to former AP Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy—Dhanunjaya Reddy and Krishnamohan Reddy—were also arrested in this case. YSRCP MP Mithun Reddy was also arrested in the same case and later came out on bail. Another key leader, former MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, is still in jail in connection with this case. What developments will take place after the ED officials question Vijayasai Reddy has now become a matter of interest. The ruling Telugu Desam Party has long been alleging that illegalities worth thousands of crores took place in the liquor scam during the YSRCP regime.