YSR Congress Party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy appears to be distancing himself from leaders and officials named in the multi-thousand-crore liquor scam.
Several of those named in the case had wielded considerable influence during the previous YSRCP government and were considered part of Jagan’s inner circle.
Apparently, Jagan is worried that their continued proximity could hurt the party’s prospects in the next Assembly elections.
Among them is prime accused Raj Kesireddy, who served as an IT adviser during the YSRCP regime and was seen as an influential figure in the administration.
Another key accused, retired IAS officer K Dhanunjay Reddy, had functioned as secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office and was widely regarded as one of Jagan’s most trusted officials.
During the previous government, he was often described as the former chief minister’s “eyes and ears” and was believed to have exercised significant influence over both the bureaucracy and the party organisation. He was also said to have played a role in candidate selection.
P Krishna Mohan Reddy, another accused in the case, had served as Officer on Special Duty to Jagan and was considered part of the close decision-making circle in the previous regime.
He was allegedly involved in several key policy matters, including those related to the liquor policy.
Senior YSRCP leaders such as Rajampet MP Peddireddy Mithun Reddy and former MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy have also been named in the case.
Former YSRCP general secretary and ex-Rajya Sabha member V Vijay Sai Reddy is also among the accused, though he is no longer active in the party.
Party insiders say most of these leaders and former officials are no longer playing any visible role in Jagan’s core political team, with the possible exception of Mithun Reddy, who continues to be viewed as a close associate.
Even he, however, is said to be limiting himself to his own political engagements rather than taking on a wider organisational role.
Sources said Jagan has consciously decided to keep those facing allegations in the liquor scam away from the party’s frontline affairs, at least until they secure legal relief.
“Any overt association with them at this stage would give the ruling coalition an opportunity to accuse Jagan of shielding tainted leaders. That could become a political liability for the party in the run-up to the next elections,” a source said.
The move is being seen as part of a broader effort by the YSRCP leadership to contain reputational damage arising from the ongoing investigation and prevent the issue from becoming a major electoral burden.
