Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu compares Jagan Reddy with Pablo Escobar, says Andhra turned into 'ganja capital' under his administration

Ruckus ensued in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly after Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu compared his predecessor Jagan Mohan Reddy with Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.

The newly formed Telegu Desam Party-led Andhra government on Thursday released a White Paper in the assembly on the excise policy formulated by the previous government. While presenting the paper, Naidu said, “I am the senior-most politician in the country and I have never seen a situation like it was in Andhra when Jagan was in power. There was only one person who can compare to what happened in Andhra, drug lord Pablo Escobar.”

Pablo Escobar was a notorious Colombian drug lord and narcoterrorist who became one of the wealthiest criminals in history. He headed the Medellín Cartel, which dominated the global cocaine trade during the 1980s and early 1990s.

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AP became ‘ganja capital’

Intensifying his attack against the former chief minister, Naidu said that under Reddy’s administration, Andhra Pradesh had turned into the ‘ganja capital’ of the country.

“Ganja is easily available in every single village in Andhra Pradesh now. Has the former chief minister addressed the issue even once during his tenure?” Naidu said.

“I appeal to the youth not to destroy their families. We’re determined to control this issue and nip it in the bud. It will happen soon,” he added.

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Why has the TDS released a white paper? 

Naidu alleged in the house that Reddy’s Excise Policy was “deceptive, flawed and inconsistent” and vowed that his government would order a CID probe into the matter.

He added that the policy not only harmed the well-being of alcohol consumers but also had a significant impact on state revenues. He alleged that the state incurred losses worth Rs 18,860 crore under the YSRCP administration.

The chief minister said that an intervention by the Enforcement Directorate will also be sought over the alleged crime as “liquor sales from government outlets were carried out only in cash, refusing online payments”.