I go to casinos, I play cards: Balineni

The casino controversy has triggered unrest in the political circles, in both the Telugu states. Reacting on the issue, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s relative Balineni Srinivas Reddy said that he does not know anything about casino organizer Chikoti Praveen Kumar, even though he too visits casinos very often. He also issued a warning indirectly to the media not to write as they wished on the controversy.

“I go to casinos whenever I feel like having some fun. I do not know who this Praveen is but whatever might be the reasons, it is not fair to sling mud on the YCP government. I am telling all the TV people one thing – do an inquiry if you want. I and Praveen Kumar do not have any connections. I always speak facts. I go to casinos and play cards but do not know playing dramas,” he said.

At the same time, he said that he does not know to speak lies. He warned that the consequences of a smear campaign against him would cost those involved very heavily. 

According to news reports, there are clear evidences showing that a few ministers from both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are linked with the casino controversy but now, it is surprising to hear from the ministers that they never know who is Chikoti Praveen.

There is buzz that Praveen had been doing his casino business briskly only due to the support of ministers and politically influential persons.