Wine Shops Break Rajagopal Reddy’s Rules, Open at 10 am With Police Help
Self-imposed liquor curbs by Munugode MLA spark clash between supporters and excise officials
By : P. Srinivas
Update: 2026-01-23 15:21 GMT
Nalgonda: The self-imposed rules enforced by Munugode MLA Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy on liquor shops in his Assembly constituency have led to a tussle between his followers and officials of the excise and enforcement department.
The controversy erupted after supporters of the MLA allegedly assaulted a wine shop owner at Chandur for opening the shop before 1 pm. It is learnt that Raj Gopal Reddy had laid down his own conditions, directing that wine shops open only after 1 pm, permit the use of sitting rooms only after 6 pm, and operate from locations on the outskirts of towns and villages.
Following complaints from liquor shop owners after the attack, excise department officials swung into action and deployed additional staff in the constituency to ensure that shops function as per the uniform timings prescribed across the state.
With the support of civil police, excise officials facilitated the opening of wine shops at Sansthan Narayanpur mandal, in defiance of the MLA’s self-imposed rules. This triggered protests by Raj Gopal Reddy’s followers, who staged a demonstration at Sansthan Narayanpur against police and excise action.
Despite the protests, wine shops remained open at Sansthan Narayanpur under police and excise protection.
Excise inspector Balu Naik said officials were acting on instructions from the excise superintendent and the deputy commissioner to ensure that liquor outlets open at 10 am, in accordance with excise department rules. He added that additional excise personnel had been deployed in the constituency to maintain law and order.
A wine shop owner, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that the MLA was selectively enforcing his rules in only three mandals, Chandur, Munugode and Sansthan Narayanpur. He pointed out that bars and restaurants in Chandur and Munugode were operating from 10 am and doing brisk business, while wine shops in Choutuppal, Nampally, Survel, Lingojigudem, Marrigudem, Koyyalagudem and Dhandumalkapuram were not following the MLA’s directives.
The shop owner said the self-imposed restrictions were causing financial losses to wine shop owners in Chandur, Sansthan Narayanpur and Munugode.
A wine shop owner, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that the MLA was selectively enforcing his rules in only three mandals, Chandur, Munugode and Sansthan Narayanpur. He pointed out that bars and restaurants in Chandur and Munugode were operating from 10 am and doing brisk business, while wine shops in Choutuppal, Nampally, Survel, Lingojigudem, Marrigudem, Koyyalagudem and Dhandumalkapuram were not following the MLA’s directives.
The shop owner said the self-imposed restrictions were causing financial losses to wine shop owners in Chandur, Sansthan Narayanpur and Munugode.