Venkatesh Naidu, an accused in the liquor scam case, has recently gained media attention.
The TDP media has widely circulated that he is closely associated with YSRCP leaders, especially former MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy.
Photos of Naidu with YS Jagan Mohan Reddy have also been shared to suggest a close connection.
However, YSRCP supporters have countered this narrative by circulating images of Naidu with several top TDP leaders, including CM Chandrababu Naidu, Minister Nara Lokesh, Union Ministers Pemmasani Chandrasekhar and Ram Mohan Naidu, as well as actor-turned-politician Nandamuri Balakrishna.
This has led to speculation that Venkatesh Naidu may have maintained ties with leaders across multiple parties.
Hailing from Ammireddinagar in Allagadda constituency of Nandyal district, Venkatesh Naidu comes from a modest, lower-middle-class Kamma family.
Locals say he has been passionate about politics from a young age and has built relationships across party lines.
Some allege he acted as a benami for Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy and filed a dummy nomination from Ongole in the past.
Minister BC Janardhan Reddy, who represents Banaganapalle near Allagadda, is also said to share ties with Naidu. During TDP's 2014–2019 tenure, Naidu was reportedly close to many of the party’s leaders.
Naidu is also believed to have connections with influential leaders from Telangana's BRS and Congress parties.
Known for his familiarity with politicians, people say he is often greeted warmly as “Ra… Naidu!” wherever he goes.
After shifting base to Hyderabad, Naidu’s financial status saw a dramatic rise. Sources claim he now owns assets worth over ₹100 crore.
As for his connection with Chevireddy, reports suggest that a man named Pradeep Reddy, from Chevireddy’s native village Tummalagunta, introduced him.
Pradeep, who lives in Hyderabad, is known to have ties with Karthik Reddy, son of former Telangana Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy.
Despite being politically aligned with TDP, Pradeep maintains good relations across parties. It's believed that Naidu and Chevireddy’s bond remained largely business-related.
However, those familiar with Naidu assert that given his current financial strength, he doesn’t need to act as a benami for anyone.
Whether there is any illegal connection between the two through the liquor trade remains a matter for the court to decide.
