The Delhi liquor policy scam involving Aam Admi Party leaders in the national capital, that has created tremors in Telangana, has now started rocking Andhra Pradesh as well.
Even as the Telugu Desam Party leaders are alleging the involvement of YSRC general secretary and Rajya Sabha member V Vijay Sai Reddy’s relatives in the scam, the Enforcement Directorate on Friday conducted searches in the residence of another YSRC MP – Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy.
According to reports from New Delhi, the ED conducted raids on the houses and offices of Magunta in Nellore as well as Delhi.
The raids were conducted as part of the nation-wide crackdown in 40 places involving those who have connections with the Delhi liquor scam.
Magunta family has been involved in liquor business for several decades and they have business connections all over the country.
In fact, the family had once been distributors for United Breweries belonging to liquor baron Vijay Mallya that manufacturers Kingfisher brand of beer.
Since Magunta has connections with leaders of various political parties involved in liquor business, his name is learnt to have surfaced during the investigation by the CBI and ED in the Delhi liquor scam. The present raids are believed to be part of this investigation.
However, Magunta has been maintaining a very low profile both in business as well as politics.
Unlike the other YSRC leaders, he never indulges in aggressive criticism against the rival political parties. In order to protect his business interests, he always prefers to be in the ruling camp, but he has not high political ambitions.
However, it remains to be seen how the YSRC leadership would take these ED raids on Magunta business.
Though the TDP has not attacked Magunta yet, it is definitely an embarrassment to the ruling party and might affect the party’s prospects in the next election, if the ED finds Magunta guilty in the liquor scam.