Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to hold a pivotal meeting with the MLAs and MLCs of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on October 18. This gathering will be Naidu’s first engagement with the legislators since taking office and aims to strengthen party unity, boost membership, and reinforce government policies. A significant focus will be addressing the persistent interference of legislators in liquor and sand matters.
Concerns regarding political meddling in these sectors have prompted Naidu to directly confront these issues with party members. Reports suggest that the CM will also discuss the upcoming MLC elections and provide specific directives to the MLAs. The central office of the party is currently preparing the agenda for this crucial meeting.
Recent developments indicate that several MLAs have been involved in the application process for new liquor shops. The initiative was expected to generate approximately Rs 2,000 crore from an anticipated one lakh applications. However, excessive political interference has resulted in a significantly lower number of applications, raising alarms within the Excise Department.
In response, the Chief Minister’s office has adopted a stringent stance against such interference. Those obstructing the application process have been summoned for warnings from the CM’s office, leading to a retreat from the implicated MLAs. Naidu emphasized the importance of transparency and fairness in establishing new liquor shops, stating, “The government is setting up new shops transparently. Anyone can apply for them. No MLA should attempt to control or exert pressure. Everyone has the right to do business. Good governance means not prying into every detail.”