The clandestine intent with which the YSRCP government led by Jagan Mohan Reddy built the 500-crore Rushikonda palace in Vizag has been exposed immediately after losing power. Last Sunday, the sneak peek of the controversial building finally revealed that the very purpose of splurging so many crores was to use it as an official residence for Jagan if he retains power for the second term. The shocking visuals came out when a bunch of TDP and Janasena leaders barged into the plushy building.
Soon after the visuals came out, there was massive public condemnation of the previous dispensation over the abuse of power and looting of government coffers for personal use. The YSRCP supporters immediately came to the rescue to control the damage, with the narrative that these buildings were constructed only to accommodate dignitaries and also to promote tourism in the coastal city. Even former IT minister Gudivada Amarnath held a press conference and suggested the new government use the building as a guest house.
The current situation of YSRCP leaders and their followers is like they are stuck between a ‘Devil and Deep Blue Sea’. This is because they cannot deny the fact that the very intention of the building appears to be to be designed and built only to accommodate a family, not a resort, going by the designs and architects of the rooms and other equipment.
Even if it were assumed that the building was supposed to serve as an official guest house, then the reasons for carrying out the construction in secrecy without any official statement from the government should be revealed to support their version. But there is no evidence to prove their narrative because all construction activity was done inside closed doors.
While the TDP and Janasena parties are going all out and attacking Jagan for squandering public money, the YSRCP is failing to counter their arguments as they cannot take either side because of the unpleasant reality behind the construction and also due to the fact it was a colossal blunder to demolish the existing resort on the hilltop despite stern opposition at that time.