TDP Slams Jagan Reddy Over 'Secret Construction Of Rushikonda Palace', Nara Lokesh Vows Inquiry

The issue came to light when Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao visited the structures erected atop Rushikonda by the previous YSR Congress (YSRC) regime.

The project also faced opposition from environmentalists since it allegedly violated the norms of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ).  ( Image Source :X/@ANI )

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has leveled serious allegations against former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy accusing him of constructing a luxurious hilltop palace worth Rs 500 crore in Vishakhapatnam. The controversy has intensified with claims that the palace, referred to as the 'Rushikonda Palace', was built maintaining secrecy.

The issue came to light when Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao visited the structures erected atop Rushikonda by the previous YSR Congress (YSRC) regime. Describing the buildings as a 'Raja Mahal', TDP leader Nara Lokesh raised alarms about the opulence and the potential misuse of public funds.

Furthermore, the TDP criticized these expenditures, highlighting their inappropriateness given Andhra Pradesh's dire financial situation, which includes a debt of Rs 12 lakh crore.

 

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: Drone visuals of the buildings constructed atop Rushikonda in Visakhapatnam.

Rushikonda Palace controversy erupted when Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao visited the buildings constructed atop Rushikonda by the previous YSRC regime. Terming the buildings… pic.twitter.com/XcjVQ68kAo

— ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2024

 

Rushikonda Construction: TDP, JanaSena Hits Out

On Thursday, Minister Nara Lokesh, voicing his concerns on social media, stated, "While the poor struggled to thatch a roof over their children's heads, @ysjagan was building a palace for himself with the money meant for them. His exploits have left the country shocked. We’ll ensure that an inquiry is done, justice is served, and the building is devoted to the people of Andhra Pradesh."

On the construction, JanaSena corporator Peethala Murthy Yadav said, " Rushikonda reconstruction development project was taken place against the violation made by state govt, head of Andhra Pradesh tourism...the (then) state govt took permission from MoEFCC (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India) was 9.88 acres and within that the building should be in 5 acres and the remaining area must be landscaping and parking area...but the hill was dug by 15 acres extra which is a big violation..."

The Jagan-led party has asserted that the redevelopment project aims to boost tourism in Visakhapatnam. They also emphasized that the property in question is government-owned, not private. They also suggested that it could be used for the President's or PM's visit to Vishakapatnam. 

Meanwhile, the project also faced opposition from environmentalists since it allegedly violated the norms of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ).