The ruling TDP suspended its assembly in-charge in Thamballapalle after Jayachandra Reddy following a crackdown by the Andhra Pradesh Excise Department that revealed his alleged connection with a fake liquor manufacturing network in the Annamaya district during Dussehra.
The links with TDP leaders and cadres prompted Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to review the case and direct strict action against them.
Spurious liquor stocks and materials worth Rs 1.75 crore were seized by excise officials.
TDP state president Palla Srinivas Rao issued a press note announcing the suspension of Jayachandra Reddy and another local leader, Katta Surendra Naidu, over their alleged involvement in the illegal liquor case following instructions from the chief minister. The party has also ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident to ascertain facts.
The chief minister has categorically stated zero tolerance for illicit liquor after the illegal racket was busted. He also instructed excise officials to step up vigilance after a routine check of the bar codes on liquor bottles revealed the aberration.
It was revealed to be an interstate syndicate as the prime accused, Janardhan Rao, employed workers from Tamil Nadu and Odisha to prepare the spurious liquor, which was then sold off in bottles of popular brands. Rao has a Vijayawada bar license. Currently abroad, he is yet to be arrested, but ten out of 14 people have been arrested.