Rs 5.27 crore unaccounted money caught in Tamil Nadu creates ripples in Andhra Pradesh politics

Amaravati: The seizure of Rs 5.27 crore cash illegally transported in a car with an MLA car pass sticker in Tamil Nadu has created political ripples in Andhra Pradesh.

A minister close to Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy‘s family was cornered by the Opposition Telugu Desam Party. The minister, Balineni Srinivas Reddy reacted claiming that a copy of his car pass was misused by unknown persons. He demanded a probe into the episode.

On the other hand, a jeweller from Prakasam district drew himself into the episode, claiming that the seized money belonged to his business entity. He described minister Balineni Srinivas Reddy as a spotless leader and spit fire on the Opposition leaders for dragging him into the picture.

The TDP demanded the dismissal of Balineni from the cabinet.

What happened?


Acting on a tip off that ganja was being smuggled from Ongole in AP to Tamil Nadu, the Arambakkam police in Chennai on Wednesday evening searched many vehicles. They found Rs 5.27 crore in one car, which had a TN registration number and AP sticker. Three persons from Prakasam district were detained by the police and the case was handed over to the Income Tax department for verification.

The TDP alleged that the three arrested were the followers of Balineni and the money was related to illegal transactions.

A bullion merchant released a video message saying the money was meant for buying gold from Chennai market. He said there are accounts for the money.

TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh tweeted, “CM Jagan found sand, land and wine in Tamil Nadu. Rs 5.27 crore in a car with a MLA sticker. Looking at the bundles of money moving to other states, it is understandable what range the exploitation of YSRCP MLAs are resorting to”.

TDP former MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao alleged that the YCP government was ‘hiding facts’ with regards to the seizure of Rs. 5.27 crore unaccounted money belonging to Minister Balineni Srinivasa Reddy by the Tamil Nadu police. He demanded a judicial probe into the entire episode.