Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan launched a strong criticism against the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government on Saturday, accusing it of fostering a climate where the drug mafia could thrive. He claimed the current NDA government has inherited this issue, requiring urgent intervention to address drug trafficking and criminal activities linked to narcotics.
"Drugs have become a menace in the state," Kalyan stated, emphasising the necessity for a focused approach to control drug networks, ganja cultivation and associated crime.
Taking to X, Andhra Deputy CM: "Sometime back, seizure of a cocaine shipment in Visakhapatnam port and drugs seized elsewhere in the country had the links to a trading company in Vijayawada, shows that drug mafia has flourished well under previous regime."
"A comprehensive action plan is needed to tackle these criminals," he added.
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Earlier, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who led the YSRCP government, refuted the allegations, asserting that YSRCP was being falsely implicated in drug-related cases. Referring to a significant drug consignment seized in March at Visakhapatnam Port, Reddy argued that accusations against YSRCP were politically motivated. He clarified that the trading company involved is associated with the family of the state BJP President Purandeshwari’s sons, not YSRCP.
"If any crime occurs, they falsely accuse the YSRCP," Reddy remarked, drawing parallels with past instances and historical grievances, including his reference to the political betrayal of former Andhra Chief Minister NT Rama Rao (NTR).