*YSRCP leaders accused of orchestrating spurious liquor racket; TDP State president hails Google’s ₹1.3 lakh crore data centre as milestone for Visakhapatnam* 👉🏻 *YSRCP leaders behind spurious liquor conspiracy centred at Tadepalli Palace: - Palla Srinivasa Rao* 👉🏻 *‘AP Suraksha App’ heralds a new era of transparency in liquor regulation - Kollu Ravindra*

.                          by Sharma K.V.   Editor
Visakhapatnam, October 23:* At a press conference held at the TDP office in Gajuwaka, *State TDP President Palla Srinivasa Rao and Minister for Mines and Excise Kollu Ravindra* came down heavily on YSRCP leaders, accusing them of masterminding a spurious liquor racket from Tadepalli Palace and spreading false propaganda against the Google data centre project in Visakhapatnam. The leaders alleged that the Opposition was attempting to derail Andhra Pradesh’s growth trajectory through “malicious conspiracies and fabricated campaigns.”

*Tadepalli Palace — the epicentre of the spurious liquor plot*

Mr. Srinivasa Rao alleged that the Tadepalli Palace had become the nerve centre of a large-scale conspiracy to manufacture and distribute spurious liquor. “The plot was hatched on September 23 at Tadepalli, exploiting the long-standing friendship between Janardhan Rao and Jogi Ramesh,” he said. “The following day, Janardhan Rao, who was scheduled to travel to Africa, was falsely implicated in the adulterated liquor case. Based on his testimony, it has been revealed that with the encouragement of Jogi Ramesh, spurious liquor was manufactured in Ibrahimpatnam and Molakalacheruvu. The intention was clear — to malign the image of the coalition government.”

*Liquor mafia under YSRCP rule — corruption with international links*

Accusing the previous YSRCP regime of running a ₹3,500 crore liquor mafia, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that laboratory reports from Chennai, Bengaluru, and the United States had confirmed the presence of toxic substances in ‘J’ brand liquor. “Using the proceeds of this illicit trade, YSRCP leaders expanded businesses in Africa and Dubai. Records show that in 2013, Jagan Mohan Reddy’s close aides and benamis — Y.S. Sunil Reddy and Y.S. Anil Reddy — floated a company named Reddys Global Industries in Africa for manufacturing spurious liquor, which was later seized by the local government,” he stated.

*SIT probe exposes YSRCP conspiracy*Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra said that a Special Investigation Team comprising four senior IPS officers had been constituted to unearth the truth behind the liquor scam. “The inquiry is revealing the extent of YSRCP’s involvement in the conspiracy. No one will be spared, regardless of their stature,” he asserted.

He added that the accused—Dasaripalli Jayachandra Reddy and Katta Surendra Naidu—had been suspended from the party with immediate effect, reflecting the government’s zero-tolerance policy. “While YSRCP is attempting to shift the blame and conceal its liquor mafia, the facts have already begun to surface,” Mr. Ravindra said.

*‘AP Suraksha App’ — ushering transparency into the liquor trade*

Launching the ‘AP Suraksha App’, Minister Ravindra said the new digital initiative marked a transformative step towards transparency in liquor sales. During a public awareness rally at Gajuwaka Old Junction, citizens were briefed on the app’s functioning.

“Every bottle can now be scanned to verify its authenticity, instilling public confidence,” the Minister explained. He added that over three lakh illegal belt shops operated during YSRCP’s tenure, all of which have now been shut down. Stringent penalties — up to ₹5 lakh — and criminal prosecution are now being enforced against adulteration.

“To ensure quality control, state-of-the-art labs have been established in Visakhapatnam, Kurnool, Chittoor, Guntur, and Kakinada. Andhra Pradesh is the only state in the country conducting 13 categories of ENA (Extra Neutral Alcohol) tests,” he said, noting that surprise inspections are being carried out across distilleries, depots, bars, and retail outlets.

*Google’s ₹1.3 lakh crore investment: A historic milestone for Visakhapatnam*

Calling it a “turning point in Visakhapatnam’s history,” Mr. Srinivasa Rao said Google’s ₹1.3 lakh crore data centre project would redefine the city’s economic and technological landscape.

“This is not merely an investment — it is a transformative step that will shape Visakhapatnam’s future,” he remarked. “Google’s CEO himself described Visakhapatnam as ‘a city of immense promise in India.’ Over the next decade, hundreds of ancillary companies will emerge around the data centre, radically reshaping the region’s industrial profile. Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and the relentless efforts of IT Minister Nara Lokesh, Visakhapatnam is poised to become the fastest-growing city in India,” he added.

*Visakhapatnam on the global map*

Highlighting the city’s expanding industrial footprint, Mr. Srinivasa Rao noted that TCS, Cognizant, Accenture, and Tech Mahindra had already established operations in Visakhapatnam. “With Google’s arrival, Andhra Pradesh will earn a prominent place on the global technology map,” he said.

He criticised the YSRCP for “spreading baseless rumours” about the project. “While responsible governance attracts investment, the Opposition only seeks to obstruct progress and tarnish the state’s image. This isn’t political criticism—it’s sabotage of Andhra Pradesh’s future,” he observed sharply.

*Andhra Pradesh — the new hub of AI and global connectivity*

“In the past, the father brought Microsoft; now, the son has brought Google,” Mr. Srinivasa Rao quipped, lauding Minister Lokesh’s global outreach. “While the world is recognising his efforts, YSRCP is busy manufacturing fake narratives.”

He said Andhra Pradesh’s progressive industrial policies have drawn global attention, with Google choosing Visakhapatnam for its long-term infrastructure. “Neighbouring states are envious of our achievement. Unable to digest this success, YSRCP leaders are resorting to ridicule and misinformation,” he said.

*Google Cloud’s Visakhapatnam data hub — world’s largest AI centre*

Mr. Srinivasa Rao announced that Google Cloud will establish the world’s largest AI hub in Visakhapatnam with an investment of $15 billion (₹1.3 lakh crore). “This is more than a data centre; it is a global connectivity gateway,” he said.

He explained that through the sub-sea cable gateway, Google is linking Visakhapatnam to the global internet backbone, making it a strategic node for data, AI, and engineering operations.

The project is expected to generate 1.88 lakh direct and indirect jobs in sectors such as AI, internet connectivity, data operations, engineering, logistics, housing, and security.

*YSRCP’s disinformation campaign — politics over progress*Taking a dig at the Opposition’s contradictory statements, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said, “One day they claim credit for Google’s investment, the next day they dismiss it as a warehouse. Those who cannot even spell ‘Google’ now pretend to lecture on data infrastructure.”

He urged the people not to be misled by such misinformation, saying that development should be celebrated, not sabotaged.