The Jagan Mohan Reddy-led Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday, 25 June, began the demolition of ‘Praja Vedika’ – a building built as an extension to former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s residence.
The Praja Vedika – people's grievance cell – was built as an extension to Naidu’s residence by the government through Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA). Built at a cost of Rs 8 crore, it was being used by Naidu for official purposes as well as to hold party meetings.
Earlier on 24 June, speaking at the Collector’s Conference, as reported by News 18, Reddy said,
“If a common man constructs a building without permission, it will be demolished by the officers. Our government respects the law and follow all the rules.”Jagan Mohan Reddy, AP Chief Minister
TDP’s Reaction
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has termed this as ‘vendetta politics’ by the party in power and alleged that the government showed no courtesy to the former chief minister and threw his belongings out of the building.
The former chief minister had written to Reddy to seek permission to hold meetings in the building. He had urged the government to declare the property as residence annex of the Leader of Opposition.
However, when Naidu was abroad on holiday with his family, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Friday, 21 June, decided to take over Praja Vedika. They announced the collectors' conference would be held there.
The conference, the first since the YSCRP’s ascension to power, was earlier scheduled to be held at the state secretariat.
“We had requested that the structure be allocated to us. But the government did not respond. Instead, officials just threw out our leader’s belongings from Praja Vedika. This is not correct.”Kala Venkat Rao, TDP State President
“The government has deliberately resorted to this action. If it did not want to give Praja Vedika, it could have communicated the same in writing,”Y Ramakrishnudu, TDP Senior Leader
Defending Jagan Mohan Reddy
Municipal Administration Minister Botsa Satyanarayana, however, taunted the TDP saying that Naidu would be treated in the same manner as Jagan Mohan Reddy was treated when he was the Leader of Opposition.
He happened to reach Praja Vedika around the same time when TDP State President Kala Venkat Rao was criticising the government’s move and the manner in which the building’s possession took place.
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