Naidu in Delhi and YS Jagan in Bengaluru: political drama continues

The political temperature in Andhra Pradesh has surged as Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu landed in New Delhi for a three-day visit, reportedly to seek the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) backing in connection with a major liquor scam probe.

The alleged Rs 3,200-crore scam, said to be linked to the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regime (2019–2024), has triggered a fresh round of political conflict between Naidu and YSRCP chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Naidu’s lobby

Sources indicate that Naidu is lobbying with senior BJP leaders and Home Ministry officials for approval to take strong legal action—potentially including Jagan’s arrest.

A recent Andhra cabinet meeting on May 20, chaired by Naidu, reportedly included a presentation by Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta, tracing a money trail that allegedly leads to Jagan’s residence at Tadepalli Palace.

While Naidu is pushing for central endorsement, he has urged his ministers to remain tight-lipped in public, emphasizing the importance of concrete evidence before making any legal moves.

Jagan hits back

In a fiery press conference held in Vijayawada on May 22, Jagan Mohan Reddy launched a sharp counterattack, dismissing the liquor scam allegations as a politically motivated ploy by Naidu.

He accused the TDP-led NDA government of fabricating charges to undermine a prior liquor scam case in which Naidu is currently out on bail.

Jagan argued that the majority of Andhra’s liquor distilleries—14 out of 20—were licensed during Naidu’s previous tenure (2014–2019), and claimed his government’s centralized liquor policy was far more transparent. He further alleged that the charges were part of a coordinated effort to harass former YSRCP officials and damage his reputation ahead of critical political developments.

Jagan’s Bengaluru trip

Just a day after his press conference, Jagan left for Bengaluru on May 23, a move that has stirred speculation about his strategy. He is confident that the government will not arrest him in this case.