Hyderabad (PTI): Actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi on Monday alleged that corruption has reached new heights in Andhra Pradesh under the Congress-led government.

"We are hearing about the scandal over sand quarrying. They are the courts, they are the judges and they give certificates among themselves," he said, addressing a public meetings at Patancheru in Medak district.

The sand quarrying scandal involved state minister G Surya Rao who levelled allegations of kickbacks against his cabinet colleague J C Diwakar Reddy over the issue.

A cabinet sub-committee probed the matter and gave clean chit to Reddy.

Describing youth as his major strength, the Praja Rajyam founder exhorted them to support his party in its fight against corruption.

Chiranjeevi's critical remarks come in the wake of continued attack on him by Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and other senior Congress leaders.

Talking about the high levels of water pollution in the industrial zone of Patancheru, bordering Hyderabad, the Telugu matinee idol said successive governments have failed to address the issue.

The Patancheru area can be developed in a big way using the money involved in corruption deals, he said.

Chiranjeevi also visited the polluted areas in the region and inquired about the problems caused by pollution.

The PR leader kicked off his three-day mass-contact programme 'Praja Ankita Sabhalu' (Dedication to People) in Medak district on Monday.