Rushikonda mansion row puts YSRCP on the back foot

Rushikonda Controversy:

• The structures replaced Haritha Beach Resorts at a cost of Rs 452 cr
• TDP and other parties argue taxpayers’ money was wasted on luxury
• YSRCP defends the construction, claiming it’s for accommodating VVIPs
• TDP calls for further investigation into the constructions by former YSRCP govt

Visakhapatnam: After a severe drubbing at the hustings, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has found itself on a sticky wicket with the palatial construction of buildings atop Rushikonda Hills in the City of Destiny raging into a major controversy.

YSRCP, which was in power from 2014-19 to 2019 to 2024 and had declared to make Visakhapatnam the executive capital of Andhra Pradesh is now found on the defensive with many from the TDP, BJP and Jana Sena Party alliance launching a scathing attack on former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led party for splurging tax-payers’ money to the tune of nearly Rs 500 crore to construct a mansion-type super-structures with utmost secrecy and in a clandestine manner to house the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). Out of seven blocks, three have 12 sea-facing bedrooms in a total built-up area of 44,433 square meters.

Now after facing attack from several quarters, in the local and national media, YSRCP leaders are trying to contend that they had built the resorts lavishly by demolishing Haritha Beach Resorts run by AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) at an estimated cost of Rs 452 crore just to provide accommodation to VVIPs like President, Prime Minister, Governor and foreign dignitaries.

“We constructed that building in the true spirit to rule from Vizag and that buildings should be used for only government purposes. Those buildings belong to the Government of Andhra Pradesh and not Jagan Mohan Reddy. Those buildings are constructed with beautiful architecture for the Government of AP so it can be used when the President or Prime Minister comes as good buildings are not available in Vizag,” YSRCP said in a posting on micro-blogging site X.

“After coming to power they are trying to portray it wrongly. We have not spent anything for personal purposes. As we gave importance to Vizag, we didn’t want VVIPs staying in star hotels and other places while holding big conferences like G20 and investors’ summits,” YSRCP leader and former Industries Minister Gudivada Amarnath said.

TDP MP from the city M Sribharat said its clearly proven beyond doubt that taxpayers’ money was wasted on building super luxury structures at Rushikonda by not allowing anyone to know about what was happening inside the heavily barricaded area.

IT Minister and TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had asked the officials to collect more information on Rushikonda and other controversial constructions made during the erstwhile government and make it public.