Andhra Pradesh is fast turning into a hub of gambling, drugs and lawlessness under the TDP-led coalition government. What was promised as “good governance” has instead degenerated into unchecked illegal gambling clubs, flourishing drug networks, rampant liquor sales, and a frightening collapse of law and order, particularly affecting women and children. Across constituencies, gambling clubs are operating openly with alleged political patronage, drugs are freely circulating among youth, and crimes against women are rising at an alarming rate. Welfare has vanished from the political discourse, development is nowhere to be seen, and the state appears to be run by intimidation, indulgence, and impunity.
AP turns into a gambling haven
Under Chandrababu Naidu’s administration, gambling clubs have mushroomed across the state. What is more alarming is that ministers, ruling-party MLAs and their close aides are accused of actively patronising or facilitating these operations. From urban centres to rural belts, gambling dens are functioning openly, both officially and unofficially. Crores of rupees are reportedly exchanged daily, with little fear of enforcement.
Political Patronage
- Gambling camps operate in constituencies of ruling-party leaders
- Cockfighting, betting, and card gambling openly encouraged
- Police action seen as selective or absent
In Agiripalli, the constituency of Minister Parthasarathy, large gambling clubs are reportedly thriving. Similar scenes are reported in multiple districts, pointing to a systemic collapse of enforcement.
Timeline exposes the spread of gambling dens
A series of incidents between June 2024 and August 2025 reveals how deeply gambling has penetrated the state:
- Kuppam: TDP leader caught gambling; cash seized
- Guntur & Vijayawada: Illegal clubs opened in city centres without permissions
- Rayachoti: Gambling organised in the presence of a cabinet minister
- Anantapur: MLA openly declares reopening gambling clubs statewide
- Penamaluru & Pamarru: Gambling camps busted with links to political aides
- Vijayawada: Police officers caught gambling during festival duty
- Kadapa: Municipal Commissioner’s camp office allegedly turned into a gambling club
Despite repeated exposures, the pattern continues unabated.
Drugs flood the state as enforcement weakens
Parallel to gambling, Andhra Pradesh is increasingly becoming a transit and consumption hub for drugs, including MDMA, cocaine, and ganja. Awareness programmes launched by the government were soon abandoned, and no sustained preventive or enforcement strategy followed. Youth addiction is on the rise, while traffickers operate with growing confidence.
Recent drug busts highlight the crisis
- Cocaine seizures in Guntur and Mangalagiri
- MDMA recovered in Vijayawada, sourced from Bengaluru
- A serving AP police constable named accused in a high-value cocaine case
- Repeated drug recoveries in Visakhapatnam and coastal cities
Critics allege that political interference and administrative apathy are allowing drug networks to thrive.
Liquor everywhere, Law nowhere
The unchecked proliferation of liquor shops and illegal belt shops has further aggravated the crisis. Alcohol is available round the clock, emboldening criminal behaviour and contributing to rising violence. The social cost, broken families, addiction, and crime, is becoming increasingly visible.
Crimes against women surge alarmingly
Perhaps the most disturbing fallout of this governance breakdown is the sharp rise in crimes against women and children. Since the coalition government took charge:
- Andhra Pradesh has ranked second nationally in crimes against women
- Cases involve sexual assault, gang rape, murder, harassment, and intimidation
- Political pressure to suppress or dilute cases
Shockingly, cases have been registered against several ruling-party legislators and affiliates, raising serious questions about accountability.
A Disturbing pattern across districts
From Visakhapatnam to Tirupati, Vijayawada to Anantapur, incidents have been reported involving:
- Gang rape of minors
- Sexual violence in schools, hostels, hospitals, and public spaces
- Victims driven to suicide due to harassment and pressure
- Police inaction or delayed response
The sheer volume and geographical spread of these incidents point to a statewide breakdown of law and order.
No Welfare, No Development : Only lawlessness
With governance consumed by gambling, liquor, and political protection rackets:
- Welfare schemes have disappeared from public focus
- Development projects remain stalled or invisible
- Citizens increasingly feel unsafe, unheard, and unprotected
Opposition voices allege that the state is being run through fear and favour, not constitutional governance.
Public anger mounts against Coalition govt
As gambling dens multiply, drugs circulate freely, and crimes rise unchecked, public frustration is growing across Andhra Pradesh. What was promised as reform has turned into regression. The state today stands at a crossroads, caught between democratic governance and a dangerous drift into lawlessness.
