Delhi liquor scam, casino cases creating stir in Telugu states

SNCN ACHARYULU
Hyderabad

The Delhi liquor scam and casino cases are creating a stir in the ruling parties of both Telugu states. Many politicians including MLAs belonging to ruling parties in both the Telugu states are reportedly involved in these two cases.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigating these cases has collected evidence about the involvement of politicians. Sources said the ED is going to take action against the political leaders and MLAs of both these two parties.

The leaders of the TRS, the ruling party of Telangana, and the YSRCP, the ruling party of Andhra Pradesh, are worried about the ED issuing notices to them in these two cases.
Sources said the ED is planning to issue notices to those who are habitual gamblers. In the casino case around 13 AP MLAs are reportedly involved. In Telangana also the ED is going to issue notices to some TRS MLAs.

Regarding the Delhi liquor scam, the ED came to know that many political leaders belonging to the TRS and the YSR Congress are involved. In both these cases, the ED has speeded up investigation.

With Assembly elections approaching in both Telugu states, many politicians are worried about their future. If the ED issues notices to politicians what action the leadership of the ruling parties in both Telugu states will take is creating interest.

TRS supremo Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has already criticised the Centre for misusing investigation agencies against the opposition. So if the ED takes any action the TRS leadership will face it politically.

In Andhra Pradesh, the ruling YSR Congress and Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is indirectly supporting the Centre and the BJP. Recently Jagan said that their relationship with the Centre is above politics.

At the same time, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao said at a meeting of his party that the Centre is creating problems for AP Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy in spite of his support to the Centre.

Like the Telangana Chief Minister, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister cannot fight the Centre if the ED takes action against politicians.The ED arrested many prominent persons and conducted investigations against some political leaders in connection with the two cases. The ED investigated the possibility of money laundering in the case of Talasani brothers in the casino case. The BJP which is in power at the Centre is trying to use these two cases politically in both states, particularly in Telangana.