HYDERABAD: Jadcherla Congress MLA Anirudh Reddy has called on film actors to undergo drug tests, stating that he himself has taken one.
Addressing a press conference in the CLP office here on Tuesday, the MLA claimed that rumours related to drug use were more prevalent in the film industry than in politics. He suggested that actors undergo drug tests every 90 days and be allowed to participate in film shoots only after testing negative.
The MLA further said there was a growing public perception that drug abuse was more widespread in the film industry. He added that the chief minister maintained a lifestyle free from alcohol and smoking, and asserted that he too aimed to stay away from drugs.
Alleging that a section of people was indulging in a smear campaign against him, he asked, “If I advise people not to consume illicit liquor, does that warrant defaming me?”
Raising questions on the liquor debate, Anirudh Reddy asked whether it was wrong if tribal communities produced traditional liquor while it was considered acceptable when corporate companies manufactured it. He noted that “ippa sara” had a history of over 3,000 years and described it as an indigenous Indian liquor.
The MLA said that he had written to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, seeking promotion of “ippa sara”. He proposed plantation of “ippa” trees on a large scale under the Forest department, suggesting that around 10 lakh saplings be grown for the production of liquor and related products. He added that 55 public representatives, including MLAs, MLCs, and MPs from various parties, had extended their support by signing the letter.