In a major setback to Visakhapatnam’s Sharada Peetham chief Swarupananda Swami, who is known for his intimate association with former chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy, Chandrababu Naidu government has canceled 15 acres allocated to him in the Port City by the previous government.
This has created a lot of uproar as over Rs 250 crore valuable site was given at a mere amount of Rs 15 lakh. Jaganmohan Reddy used to give prominence to his advice. So several ministers, MLAs, IAS and IPS officers used to visit his Ashram seeking favours from the government.
Soon after the change of the government, a probe was conducted on the allocation of this land, besides several lands in the port city. After ascertaining irregularities in the land allocation, orders were issued to cancel its allocation.
On the other hand, it is reported that the government has taken an important decision on the construction of Sharada Peetham in Tirumala. TTD has been directed to take action against illegal constructions. There is opposition from many communities to the construction of Sharada Peetham in Tirumala
Objections were raised that when permission was given for four floors, Sarada Peetham was being constructed on six floors. Objections were raised on this in June this year as well. President of Andhra Pradesh Sadhu Parishad and president of Anandashram, Swami Srinivasananda Saraswati also raised concerns at that time alleging this was an illegal construction.
He inspected the building along with many saints and found it was encroaching on the riverfront. He also demanded that the building should be demolished. But at that time TTD said that the matter is in the court.
Everyone knows how controversial Swarupananda Swami is. As long as YCP was in power, he gave his full support to Jagan. In return, he got land worth hundreds of crores of rupees in Vizag. Just before elections he performed some yagnam in Rishikesh, seeking victory for Jaganmohan Reddy in the elections.
But, soon after the change of government in the state, he has swiftly changed his tone. In order to protest his interest, he started praising Chandrababu Naidu’s government. This has shocked many people. Not only that, he made a statement on June 10 that he will develop his Peetam in Amaravati as well.