Spirited promise: Andhra Pradesh BJP promises booze at Rs 50 per bottle if voted to power

Amaravati: The BJP in Andhra Pradesh has promised to offer liquor at Rs 50 per bottle, besides several initiatives, if voted to power in 2024 assembly polls. In a public meeting held on Tuesday, BJP Chief Somu Veerraju, lashing out at Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress government and opposition Telugu Desam Party, said the political forces in the state ‘failed’ to develop the state despite the abundant resources and long sea coast it has. “I am telling you that one crore people are drinking ( alcohol) in the state. All of you people vote for BJP, we will offer you cheap liquor at Rs 75. If the revenues are good we will even supply at just Rs 50, (not bad liquor), definitely a good one,” Veerraju said indirectly pointing to high prices of liquor in the state. Referring to some of the state government Direct Benefit Transfer schemes, the BJP leader said on average a person consumes liquor for about Rs 12000 per month and Jagan Mohan Reddy is collecting all that amount and giving it back in the name of a scheme. Veerraju asserted that BJP is committed to making Amaravati the capital and developing the region in just three years if voted to power in AP. Describing Communists as barking dogs, Veerraju alleged that the left parties destroyed the country. Former Union Ministers Prakash Javadekar, Purandareswari and Rajya Sabha members YS Chowdary and MC Ramesh also spoke in the meeting.