Eluru Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Member of Parliament (MP) Putta Mahesh Kumar has drawn substantial public attention and political scrutiny following his recent remarks concerning police enforcement of drunk driving regulations. Speaking directly to senior law enforcement during an official administrative meeting, the parliamentarian requested that police officers exercise leniency toward local political functionaries and rural motorists intercepted during sobriety checks.
The comments, which have since circulated widely online, were delivered at a review meeting held at the Eluru district party headquarters. MP Putta Mahesh addressed the seated District Superintendent of Police (SP), openly raising grievances regarding the volume of traffic citations being issued in rural pockets and semi-urban zones under his constituency.
Rising Local Grievances Over Traffic Citations
According to the Eluru MP, his office has been inundated with public feedback regarding aggressive traffic enforcement. He noted that he receives up to 30 telephone calls daily specifically concerning individuals penalized during sobriety checkpoints.
The lawmaker highlighted specific regions, including Jangareddigudem, small rural villages, and communities surrounding the Polavaram area, where residents have complained about extensive fines resulting from drunk driving breathalyzer operations.
"Fines are being levied against ordinary, small-scale individuals in our villages, which in turn is generating political complications for us," MP Putta Mahesh stated during his address to the SP. "We urge you to follow the established rules, but please consider how to balance enforcement so that it does not foster public resentment against the state government."
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Request for Institutional Cooperation and Exemptions
The core of the controversy centers on the MP's explicit appeal to insulate ground-level political workers from standard law enforcement protocols. He argued that rigorous policing has compromised the local influence of regional political figures.
Putta Mahesh pointed out that local TDP Mandal party presidents frequently find themselves unable to coordinate effectively with Station House Officers (SHOs) due to rigid administrative enforcement. He suggested that this dynamic undermines the political authority of party workers who are otherwise expected to resolve community grievances.
"If our local Mandal party presidents approach you regarding drunk driving matters, please look into it and extend some support to them," the MP requested. He went on to propose that the district police administration grant targeted exemptions to his party's grassroots leaders and cadres when interacting with municipal SHOs.
Public Safety Implications and Regulatory Standards
The public discourse surrounding the meeting underscores an ongoing tension between legislative expectations of police flexibility and statutory public safety mandates. Across India, both federal and state police departments consistently run public awareness campaigns warning citizens about the severe dangers that driving under the influence of alcohol poses to human life.
Standard legal provisions mandate significant financial penalties and potential imprisonment for individuals caught driving while impaired. Critics argue that public representatives advocating for selective enforcement or leniency undermines these safety measures. The open appeal by a sitting member of parliament to allow political affiliates special consideration in road safety enforcement remains a major talking point across Andhra Pradesh.