Andhra CM Naidu Targets Jagan After Visiting Rushikonda Palace: 'Surprised To See It's Built In A Democracy'

TDP chief Naidu criticised the project’s opulence costing Rs 500 crore when North Andhra region saw significantly less investment in essential infrastructure where Rs 400 crore was allocated.

Chandrababu Naidu voiced his disapproval of the palace’s construction, highlighting environmental concerns and the scale of resources used.

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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu inspected the controversial Rushikonda Palace in Visakhapatnam on Saturday sparking a renewed political debate over alleged misuse of public funds by the previous YSR Congress (YSRC) regime in the construction of the bunglow. Naidu condemned the extravagant construction, which he described as a "Raja Mahal," claiming it was built to serve the personal interests of former CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Naidu voiced his disapproval of the palace’s construction, highlighting environmental concerns and the scale of resources used. He said: “It is surprising that buildings like Rishikonda are built in a democracy. These constructions have been done for his (Jagan Reddy's) personal interest. Nature has been destroyed."

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief criticised the project’s opulence, questioning why a lavish residence costing approximately Rs 500 crore was prioritised when the state’s North Andhra region saw significantly less investment in essential infrastructure, such as irrigation, where Rs 400 crore was allocated.

"Earlier when I said that I would come to see the Rishikonda Palace, I was not allowed to come. Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan and BJP leaders were prevented from coming here. Rs 400 crore was not spent on irrigation in North Andhra, but Rs 500 crore was spent on just one palace... Jagan used public money for luxury and built Raja Palace," the CM said. 

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu inspected the Rushikonda Palace, in Visakhapatnam

(Source: Telugu Desam Party) pic.twitter.com/s4enZMHIi5

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The controversy surrounding the Rushikonda Palace was amplified when Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao inspected the site a couple of months ago, raising concerns about secrecy around the palace’s construction. TDP leader Nara Lokesh further criticised the project on social media, calling it a betrayal of the state’s people. Lokesh’s post alleged that funds intended for public welfare were diverted toward a luxury project for personal use, stating, “While the poor struggled to thatch a roof over their children's heads, Jagan was building a palace for himself with the money meant for them.”