The focus in Andhra Pradesh politics right now is on the lavish palace built by former CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at Rushikonda. This extravagant building, costing over Rs 500 crores of public funds, was initially claimed to be a tourism project but is now under scrutiny for potentially serving as a residence for the CM.
The TDP-JSP-BJP alliance has strongly criticized Jagan for using state money for such a costly project. In response, the YCP has tried to defend the palace, suggesting it could be used for government purposes. Former IT Minister Gudivada Amarnath, who lost by a significant margin in Gajuwaka, proposed that the new CM, Chandrababu Naidu, should consider using the palace to accommodate visiting dignitaries like the Prime Minister and President.
However, this argument hasn’t gained much traction, especially considering the enormous expenditure involved. Critics point out that spending such a large amount on a building primarily for occasional use seems unjustifiable, particularly in a financially strained state like Andhra Pradesh.
Adding to the controversy, old videos of former Minister Roja have resurfaced, where she confirms that the palace was intended as a camp office for Jagan. This contradicts Amarnath’s claim that it was solely for guest accommodation.
Overall, the YCP’s attempts to justify the Rushikonda Palace are falling short, leaving questions unanswered about the true purpose and necessity of such a costly project.