During the three days of Sankranti, cockfighting was rampant in the two Godavari districts as well as Krishna district. In addition to this, gambling, betting and playing cards also went on freely. It is estimated that approximately Rs. 1,000 crores changed hands during these three days in these three combined districts.
This time, liquor was sold at the bars. It is noteworthy that political party leaders organized the auction for the management of the bars in many places. The races continued even at night under the light of floodlights in Eluru and West Godavari districts. Locals say that the number of bars has increased this year compared to last year.
Ironically, a local MLA’s photo was printed on the entry card to enter the chicken fight ring in Peda Amiram, Kalla mandal. Everything from cheap liquor to expensive liquor was made available. Deputy Speaker Kanumuri Raghuramakrishnam Raju, Eluru MP Putta Mahesh Kumar Yadav, and Kaikaluru MLA Dr. Kamineni Srinivas watched the fights here. The police kept blocking the fight organized by Ramabhadra Raju, a follower of former minister Karumuri Venkata Nageswara Rao, in Kothapadu village of Iragavaram mandal.
Although former minister Karumuri Venkata Nageswara Rao protested, permission was granted on Monday evening, but it was blocked from Tuesday morning. A flock of chickens won Rs. 1.25 crore in the fight organized in the fight organized near the Kondalamma lake in Tadepalligudem.
In the fierce competition between Gudivada Prabhakar Rao (GP)’s Nemali Punju and Rattayya’s Rasagi Punju, Gudivada Prabhakar Rao’s Nemali Punju emerged victorious. The youth attacked each other, demanding that their favorite hero’s songs be played or their heroes in the recording dance set up on Monday night.
It is reported that a casino game was held in a ring set up in the Bhimavaram market yard area. It was reported that an agreement was made to give Rs. 6 lakhs to the big ring in Unguturu constituency and Rs. 2 to 3 lakhs to the small ring. MLA Dharmaraju and TDP district president Ganni Veeranjaneyulu visited Narayanapuram and other rings in Unguturu mandal separately and watched the races for a while.
The winners of a race in Bomminampadu, Mudinepalli mandal, were awarded bullet vehicles. Telugu film actor Shravan watched the race in Mangondi village, Polavaram mandal. Jabardasth team members Ramprasad and Aishwarya watched the cockfight in Jeelugumilli along with Polavaram MLA Balaraju.
