TRS lenience has led to drug culture: Congress

Party demands SIT be set up under national agencies

The Congress has alleged that the government’s lenient approach is responsible for the rising drug culture in the State, including the violation of all the norms by the managements of pubs.

At a press conference here, TPCC working president, Mahesh Kumar Goud alleged that managements of the pubs have become a law-unto-themselves and are responsible for the drug culture that is deepening in the State. “With whose support they are functioning till 3 a.m., if not with IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao support,” he said.

Mr. Goud demanded that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) be set up under the national agencies and Mr. Rao should agree to this if he is sincere in rooting out the menace from the city. He said the way investigation into the drugs issues involving the film stars was suppressed by the government has also sent a wrong signal giving scope to the peddlers and consumers to further their activities without any fear.

AICC spokesperson, Sravan Dasoju blamed the TRS and said the 8-year-old government that has a lopsided view on this issue and failure to understand the gravity of the issue, negligence of police has turned Hyderabad from a universal city to global hub of drugs.

“When TRS first came to power, instead of bringing global companies to take part in the development of the State, it brought Playboy club and organised a grand event in Gachibowli. The drug issue we are facing now is an extension of this event,” he alleged.

‘Stop victimising’

Meanwhile, former Union Minister Renuka Chowdhury has said that her daughter, Tejuswini Chowdhury is not the owner of the Pudding and Mink pub at the Radisson Blu Hotel that was raided by the police on the night of April 2.

In a statement here, she rejected reports in a section of media that her daughter was detained and questioned by the police as part of the raid.

“I wish to categorically state that my daughter is not the owner of Pudding and Mink and neither is she involved in the management of this establishment. Further, she was not present at the pub nor has she been detained nor questioned by the police,” she said.

Meanwhile, TPCC working president Anjan Kumar Yadav clarified that his son went there to attend a birthday party and was not involved in the issue.