Naidu writes to AP Governor seeking inquiry into Gudivada casino

Andhra Pradesh: After a report has been submitted by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) fact-finding committee on the Gudivada casino issue, the TDP President Nara Chandrababu Naidu wrote a letter to Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan to make an inquiry through an appropriate and suitable agency into the illegal casino at Gudivada, the role of police and administration, the violence unleashed by ruling YSRCP against TDP leaders. On Thursday, members of the TDP fact-finding committee met the Governor and gave the representation and evidence they gathered on casino scenes in Gudivada.

In the letter, Mr. Naidu opined that the improper and one-sided action by the police posed a serious threat and asked the Governor for immediate action to protect Telugu culture. The letter was attached with a pen drive containing a copy of the TDP fact-finding committee report, video clips of casino scenes in Gudivada, evidence of women flying back to Goa after the casino, and representations submitted to the Collector and Police officials.

It may be recalled that there have been scenes of the casino setup at Gudivada, Krishna district from 14 to 16 January 2022, during the Sankranthi festival. The broad daylight setup of an illegal casino and encouraging people to gamble, betting stands, and indecent exposure of women and vulgar dance were also promoted at the 'casino' and those videos went viral on social media. It has been said that around Rs 500 crore unaccounted money was exchanged at the casino. On 17 January 2022, it was reported that around 13 women flew back to Goa after their completion of works at the casino.

Later on the issue, TDP appointed a fact-finding committee with six senior leaders to ascertain the facts. The committee also submitted representations to the Collector and police officials. The fact-finding report says that a local minister was behind the casino.

According to Nara Chandrababu Naidu, some of the officials were not willing to give an appointment for the committee to submit their representation directly. Also, the TDP President alleged that the police are not ready to take up appropriate investigation on this issue. He says that during the time when the fact-finding committee visited Gudivada to ascertain facts, there were hurdles faced by the committee members, including damage to the car of senior TDP leader Bonda Umamaheswara Rao.