The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) attacked former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of constructing a luxurious resort on Rushikonda Hill in Visakhapatnam. Accusing Reddy of using the resort for his ‘personal use’, the TDP has claimed that the building was disguised as a tourism project.
The accusations sparked intense political debate in the state about transparency and governance in the tourism projects in Andhra Pradesh. The row erupted after TDP won in the recent Assembly elections.
TDP MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao and his supporters even staged a protest at the site, escalating the situation.
What is the Controversy About?
Earlier in 2021, the YSRCP government announced the redevelopment of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC)-run Haritha resort on Rushikonda Hill and said that it will be turned into a major tourist attraction.
According to a report published in Moneycontrol, the 9.88-acre area of the resort has been restricted since 2021, with the government claiming ongoing development work. However, the official records show that the area was divided into blocks, and buildings are being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 356.4 crore.
The TDP raised concerns regarding the secrecy surrounding the project and alleged that the YSRCP is building a lavish residence for Jagan under the guise of the project.
Meanwhile, the Jagan-led YSRCP party has maintained that the redevelopment project was intended to boost tourism in Visakhapatnam.
TDP Accuses Jagan Mohan Reddy Of Violating Norms
After coming to power in the recently concluded Assembly election, TDP leader Srinivasa Rao and the ruling party supporters visited the site and shared its pictures on social media. Rao criticised the YSRCP for demolishing Praja Vedika, which had been built during the previous TDP government.
“Jagan was voted out of power before enjoying the opulence of the palace he constructed,” Rao was quoted as saying by Moneycontrol.
Rushikonda Resort: A Symbol Of Luxury
The Rushikonda resort is being considered as a symbol of luxury as it has 12 bedrooms and a total built-up area of 1,41,433 square meters. Notably, the three palaces were built by carving the serene Rushikonda hills, and the Jagan government reportedly spent Rs 407 crore of the estimated Rs 452 crore on the project.
The TDP argued that if this was constructed for tourism promotion, there was no need for meeting halls in the resort. It has been learnt that the first-floor meeting hall in Kalinga block had a chandelier costing Rs 2 lakh, with huge corridors adorned with expensive imported marble and similar chandeliers.
The entire complex, including bathrooms, had a central air-conditioning facility. The bathrooms of the complex had special spa facilities.
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