Suspend Mahesh Yadav over drug use: YSRCP to Naidu

Vijayawada: The YSRCP demanded the immediate resignation of Putha Mahesh Yadav, the TDP member of parliament from Eluru, following the confirmation from tests that he consumed drugs. Party leaders also called for his suspension from the TDP.Addressing the media on Sunday, the party's SC Cell president and former MLA T J R Sudhakar Babu said the allegations were confirmed by Telangana police. He demanded that the TDP leadership immediately act against Mahesh Yadav and compel him to resign from his parliamentary position. Sudhakar Babu said that if the TDP leadership was truly committed to making Andhra Pradesh a drug-free state, party chief N Chandrababu Naidu should have suspended the MP by now.Sudhakar Babu alleged that the TDP long ignored instances of drug and ganja use among its lower-level leaders and workers. "Now a sitting MP of the party was caught by the Telangana Eagle team police for drug use. Despite such a serious incident, the TDP leadership is trying to handle the matter quietly," he said, criticising what he called the party's silence.Former minister Kurasala Kannababu said the allegations against a sitting MP were a matter of grave concern and demanded a transparent investigation. He said public representatives must maintain high standards of conduct, and any deviation should be dealt with strictly. Another former minister, Karumuri Nageswara Rao, said that those holding responsible positions should set an example for society. He demanded that strict action must be taken to ensure such incidents do not send the wrong message to the youth.Former minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy also urged the authorities not to dilute the case. He said the spread of drugs was a serious threat to the younger generation and that political influence should not be allowed to obstruct the investigation. Reddy said that Mahesh Yadav had no moral right to continue as an MP after being allegedly caught consuming drugs. He said the MP should immediately resign and face the investigation. "If Chandrababu Naidu has any moral responsibility, he should suspend Mahesh Yadav from the party without delay," he said. He further alleged that protecting those accused in drug-related cases would send a dangerous signal to society and could encourage youth to drift towards substance abuse.