Congress MLA from Jadcherla, Janampalli Anirudh Reddy, has sparked a major political controversy by demanding the reopening of country liquor (Sara) shops across Telangana. Speaking to the media at the Secretariat, the MLA announced his intention to raise this issue during the upcoming Telangana Assembly budget sessions. He claimed that he would “drop a bomb” during the Zero Hour, arguing that the ban on country liquor needs to be re-evaluated by the Revanth Reddy-led government.
The MLA’s arguments for the return of ‘Sara’ are based on his personal claims regarding health and longevity. Anirudh Reddy asserted that in the past, those who consumed country liquor lived up to 115 years, whereas modern liquor consumers are passing away as early as age 80. He argued that scientific methods suggest country liquor is not harmful to health and expressed surprise over why it was ever banned in the state. “I want to know the specific reasons behind the closure of these shops in Telangana,” he stated, emphasizing that he would seek clarity from the floor of the House.
To support his stance, the Jadcherla MLA pointed to other Indian states where the government officially manages the sale of country liquor. He cited Odisha and Madhya Pradesh as examples where such shops are operational under state supervision. By bringing this topic to the Assembly, Reddy aims to challenge the current excise policy and advocate for a shift back to traditional liquor sales, a move that is expected to trigger intense debate among health experts and political opponents alike.
