CBN seeks Centre’s nod to arrest Jagan in liquor scam?

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is reportedly seeking guidance and approval from central leadership before initiating the arrest of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy in connection with the alleged liquor scam that allegedly took place during the YSR Congress Party’s (YSRCP) tenure from 2019 to 2024.

Sources suggest that Naidu, still smarting from his own arrest in 2023 under the YSRCP regime, is determined to hold Jagan accountable but is treading carefully due to the latter’s continued proximity to top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. 

Political observers believe this move is as much about justice as it is about settling political scores.

Buzz is that TDP General Secretary Nara Lokesh recently met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the possibility of taking action against Jagan. Lokesh reportedly met Shah twice, indicating the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led coalition is seeking the BJP-led Centre’s tacit approval before escalating the case.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Naidu government, has already arrested several key individuals, including former IAS officer K. Dhanunjaya Reddy, retired official P. Krishna Mohan Reddy, and Kasireddy Rajasekhar Reddy — the alleged kingpin and Jagan’s former IT advisor — intensifying the investigation.

Political calculations and central ties

Naidu’s push for Jagan’s arrest is widely seen as retaliation for his own arrest in September 2023, when the YSRCP accused him of orchestrating a Rs 371-crore fraud related to the Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation. He was granted bail in November 2023 and has since alleged that Jagan used state machinery to target political rivals during his time in power.

However, Naidu’s current pursuit is marked by caution. With the TDP part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and Jagan reportedly still maintaining close ties with senior BJP leaders, the political dynamics are delicate. A misstep could strain the TDP-BJP alliance, especially ahead of national and state-level electoral calculations.

YSRCP’s counter attack

The YSRCP has slammed the SIT investigation as a politically motivated “witch-hunt.” Senior party leader B. Satyanarayana called the arrests of former officials a “dangerous attack on democratic institutions,” arguing that no substantial evidence has been provided.

Former minister Ambati Rambabu alleged that Naidu was targeting honest bureaucrats and opposition leaders to suppress dissent.

Jagan himself has denied the allegations, maintaining that his government aimed to reduce liquor consumption by raising prices and taking over retail operations.

Cautious tone from Naidu

Speaking informally to the media, Naidu acknowledged the sensitivity of the matter. “We are assessing the situation carefully. If there is wrongdoing, action will be taken — but it must be backed by concrete proof,” he said, signaling a measured approach to avoid allegations of political vendetta.