Eluru MP Putta Mahesh says drug abuse charges baseless; ready for any probe

Vijayawada: Eluru MP Putta Mahesh strongly condemned the allegations circulated against him regarding alleged drug consumption, stating that he committed no wrongdoing and would emerge clean from the controversy.In a video statement released on Sunday, Mahesh clarified that he only attended a dinner at a farmhouse following an invitation from his friends and was not involved in any illegal activity. He dismissed the allegations as baseless and part of a campaign spread on social media. "I have never committed any mistake. I will not commit any mistake. I will come out clean on the issue," Mahesh asserted, expressing confidence that the truth would prevail once the facts came out.The MP said he was ready to face any inquiry and maintained that there was no truthin the accusations levelled against him. He also stressed that he always conducted himself responsibly in public life. Mahesh appealed to party leaders, supporters and cadres not to believe the rumours and misleading posts circulating on social media platforms. He urged them to remain calm and wait for the truth to come out. Reiterating his stand, the Eluru MP said he would fully cooperate with any investigation and was confident that he would be cleared of the allegations.Meanwhile, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Saturday issued a show-cause notice to Eluru member of parliament Putta Mahesh Kumar following the circulation of allegations linking him to a purported drugs-related episode that received wide media attention. Within hours of party supremo Naidu asking the state party chief to initiate action against Mahesh, Palla Srinivasa Rao said the party leadership issued a show-cause notice to the MP, seeking a detailed explanation within 48 hours.As an interim measure, Mahesh Kumar was advised to refrain from participating in party activities until the matter was examined and clarity emerged. The show-cause notice directed him to submit a written explanation to the State President within 48 hours, addressing the allegations that surfaced in the public domain.Rao indicated that failure to furnish a satisfactory response within the stipulated time might invite further action in accordance with the party's organisational rules and disciplinary framework. Reaffirming the party's position, he underscored that the Telugu Desam Party maintained a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal activities, including those related to narcotics.