'Udta Hyderabad': CM's close associates involved in drug racket, alleges Bandi Sanjay

Hyderabad: Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party president Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Friday alleged that several Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leaders, besides close associates of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, have a hand in the ongoing drugs racket in the state.

Speaking to media persons here, Bandi Sanjay expressed anguish that Hyderabad had become a haven for drug peddlers, bringing disrepute to Telangana.

He reminded that the drug racket had come to light in 2017 and investigations had revealed the involvement of several high-profile people in the racket. "The government should disclose what has happened to the investigation and what progress it has achieved in the case," he demanded.

The BJP president sought to know why the state government was not submitting the case records and evidences to the Enforcement Directorate despite repeated reminders. "The High Court has directed the government to hand over all the details and records of the case to the ED. It has also served notices to chief secretary Somesh Kumar and commissioner of Excise and prohibition for contempt of court. Yet, the government is hesitating to submit the records," he pointed out.

He alleged that the KCR government was suppressing the records and not submitting the same to the ED only because the Chief Minister was apprehensive that the names of his associates and several TRS leaders would come out.

Stating that Hyderabad has turned into a haven for drugs mafia and liquor addicts, Sanjay said it had spoilt the lives of thousands of youth in the state causing a lot of anguish to the parents. "We have talked about Udta Punjab in the past. Now, we are forced to watch Udta Hyderabad. Just like the Congress government lost power in Punjab due to the drug mafia, the KCR government, too, will pay the price for the drug mafia in the state," he said.

Sanjay said it was unfortunate that 17 IT employees had lost their jobs as they were found to consume drugs. "KCR has absolutely no interest in eradicating the drug menace. Because he himself is addicted to liquor and involved in the liquor mafia. His associates are bidding for wine shops even in Delhi. He just talks high about drugs in the review meetings but doesn't take any action," he alleged.

The BJP chief threatened to launch a massive agitation under the auspices of BJP Yuva Morcha president Bhanu Prakash till the government brings the culprits to book in the drugs racket.

He also found fault with the KCR government for disrespecting the institution of the Governor. "Tamilisai has never talked politics. She is not controversial. All that she did was reject the nomination of a criminal for the MLC seat. She has not acted like a rubber stamp. Hence, KCR is disrespecting her," he added.