Jogi Ramesh’s arrest politically motivated, alleges Sajjala

Alleging that the Andhra Pradesh government resorted to vindictive politics by arresting former Minister Jogi Ramesh, YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) State coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said the arrest was made in a fabricated case.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters at Tadepalli in Guntur district on Monday, Mr Ramakrishna Reddy said the government was working on a formula of “arrest first, scenario later”. He claimed that the police fabricated evidence, planted devices, forced confessions and sent opposition leaders to prison without trial. He said civil servants who refused to cooperate were sidelined, while those who acted as political agents were rewarded.

He accused the government of ruling the State through fear, institutional harassment and fabricated cases, instead of defending democratic values.

Referring to the illegal distillery unearthed in Tamballapalle, Mr. Ramakrishna Reddy alleged the involvement of a TDP candidate and alleged that the main culprits were allowed to remain innocent while YSRCP leaders were framed.

He also said more than a thousand belt shops were operating with impunity and fake distilleries were operating like soda units. “The government has even introduced QR codes, indirectly acknowledging the menace of fake liquor, but ignores belt shops and illegal permit rooms. This is organized crime protected by the State,” he said.

“If this is the state of the state in two years, imagine the next three. It is our collective duty to expose this trend and stop it before it becomes irreversible,” he added, expressing confidence that the truth will prevail in cases like Jogi Ramesh’s.