Opposition leaders claim that one in every three liquor bottles sold in the state could be fake — a stunning figure that points to widespread adulteration and weak enforcement.
Published Oct 08, 2025 | 4:24 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 08, 2025 | 4:24 PM
A liquor shop. (iStock)
Synopsis: The crisis over spurious liquor in Andhra Pradesh is triggering a fierce political battle between the ruling TDP–led NDA government and the Opposition YSRCP. YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy accused Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of turning Andhra Pradesh into the “number one state for spurious liquor”.
Andhra Pradesh is grappling with a growing crisis over spurious liquor, triggering a fierce political battle between the ruling TDP–led NDA government and the Opposition YSRCP.
Allegations of political backing for fake liquor units have increased after major raids in Annamayya district exposed a racket allegedly linked to local TDP leaders. The controversy has snowballed into a full-scale political storm, even as officials warn of a serious public health threat.
Opposition leaders claim that one in every three liquor bottles sold in the state could be fake — a stunning figure that points to widespread adulteration and weak enforcement. While there have been no reports of mass deaths in recent weeks, seizures of spurious liquor across multiple districts suggest the problem is extensive and growing.
The issue has roots in the state’s liquor regulation system. Critics blame the TDP government’s privatisation of liquor outlets, arguing that it has opened the door for mafia-style syndicates to flourish. Spurious liquor, often mixed with harmful chemicals, poses grave risks to consumers and could lead to long-term health complications, they warn.
The latest flashpoint occurred in Annamayya district, where excise officials carried out a series of raids between 1 and 5 October. They unearthed a large-scale fake liquor operation in Molakala Cheruvu, seizing over 15,000 bottles of counterfeit alcohol, 1,050 litres of illicit spirit, and thousands of empty bottles.
Investigators found that the racketeers had built sophisticated facilities capable of replicating branded liquor labels. Initial reports linked the racket to local TDP functionaries, including the party’s district in-charge and his associates.
Under mounting pressure, the TDP suspended two local leaders allegedly involved. However, the YSRCP dismissed the move as an attempt to protect senior party figures, calling the suspensions “a smokescreen” to shield those truly responsible.
Officials say this is not an isolated case. Since the TDP returned to power in June 2025, there has been a spike in complaints about fake liquor flooding state-run shops. Excise raids have exposed a chain of illegal factories producing counterfeit brands and distributing them through regular retail networks.
Some reports even suggest that advanced manufacturing models — reportedly inspired by illicit operations abroad — are being used to evade detection.
The scandal comes as a reversal of fortunes for both parties. During its tenure, the YSRCP had ordered probes into alleged liquor kickbacks involving private dealers. Now, the Opposition has turned the tables, accusing the TDP of reviving the very trade it once condemned.
Citing Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) data, YSRCP leaders allege massive revenue losses and accuse the government of endangering public safety for profit.
At the same time, YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has taken the fight directly to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, accusing him of turning Andhra Pradesh into the “number one state for spurious liquor”. In statements and posts on social media, Reddy claimed that the Annamayya bust was “only the tip of the iceberg.”
He alleged that TDP leaders had set up the illicit units themselves, while junior operatives were being scapegoated.
“News reports confirm that one out of every three bottles in the state is fake. This is the scale of danger TDP has created,” Reddy charged, demanding accountability from the Chief Minister. YSRCP spokespersons accused the ruling alliance of deliberately weakening state controls by closing government-run outlets and handing over sales to private hands, “turning liquor into a goldmine for cronies.”
On X, the YSRCP amplified its attack under the hashtag #NaraLiquorBabu, accusing the government of running a “liquor mafia” under official protection. Party workers cited NCRB 2023 data to claim that there were zero deaths from spurious liquor during their rule, in contrast to what they described as the “chaos under TDP.”
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, however, has strongly rejected the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. He insisted that his government has a “zero-tolerance” policy toward the menace. On October 6, Naidu directed excise officials to intensify raids and take strict action against all offenders, regardless of political affiliation.
“The menace of spurious liquor harming public lives will not be tolerated,” Naidu said, promising tough enforcement. TDP leaders defended their swift suspension of those accused, claiming it showed the government’s seriousness. They also accused the YSRCP of using the issue to distract from corruption scandals during its own tenure.
The CPI(M) on Tuesday, 7 October, organised a protest at the Ibrahimpatnam four-road junction near Vijayawada, demanding the institution of a judicial inquiry with a sitting judge to get to the bottom of the spurious liquor racket and bring the guilty to book.
CPI(M) State Secretariat Member Ch Babu Rao said: “It is unfortunate that the party which came to power on the promise of ending spurious liquor is now allowing the same illegal business.” Women demonstrators broke liquor bottles symbolically, calling the NDA government to account.
Naidu’s government had announced plans to strengthen quality control and traceability across the liquor supply chain. However, critics argue that the reforms are knee-jerk reactions and fail to address the deeper problem of privatisation and weak regulation.
As the raids continue and more arrests are made, the liquor controversy is reshaping Andhra Pradesh’s political battlefield. The YSRCP hopes to use the issue to corner the government, while the TDP is working to contain the fallout.
For now, Andhra Pradesh finds itself caught between political blame games and a growing public safety crisis.
Whether Naidu’s promised crackdown will restore order—or simply add another chapter to the state’s long-running “liquor wars” — remains to be seen.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
