Visakhapatnam: Tensions are rising in Visakhapatnam as YSR Congress Party leaders have openly questioned Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s silence regarding the alleged land encroachments by GITAM University. Previously, Pawan had been vocal about various issues in the city, but his current lack of commentary on this significant scandal has raised eyebrows among local political circles.
The YSR Congress leaders have criticized the land allocations in Visakhapatnam, labeling them as one of the largest scams in the country. They emphasized that just because the people voted for Pawan Kalyan does not mean the state belongs to him. This sentiment was echoed during a foot march that took place from the Rushikonda Venkateswara Swamy temple to GITAM University, where local leaders and party members gathered to protest against the alleged encroachments.
Among those participating in the march were Legislative Council Opposition Leader Botsa Satyanarayana, Regional Coordinator Kannababu, K.K. Raju, and former Minister Amarnath, all of whom raised slogans demanding the protection of government land and called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the land encroachments.
Botsa Satyanarayana, addressing the gathering, stated, “We have come to GITAM University to prevent Chandrababu Naidu’s land plundering. His family members are involved in a massive land grab worth thousands of crores. We had previously placed warning boards indicating that 5,000 crores worth of land belongs to the government. Do the police obstruct entry into government land?” He further criticized the media outlets ABN, TV-5, and Eenadu for not covering the land encroachments, questioning whether they have turned a blind eye to these issues.
He also called for Pawan Kalyan to take responsibility and speak out against the land grab, asking why he has remained silent despite being in Visakhapatnam. Satyanarayana insisted that both the BJP and Jana Sena also need to address the issue, stating, “If necessary, we will invite Y.S. Jagan to inspect the encroached lands.” He warned that the people should think critically about Chandrababu’s actions and that they would work to prevent land grabbing in the upcoming council sessions.
Former Minister Gudivada Amarnath accused the government of mishandling land allocations to GITAM University, suggesting that the current administration believes it can misappropriate lands without facing inquiries. He claimed that the government has allocated 55 acres to GITAM and demanded clarity on Pawan Kalyan’s position regarding this land grab, stating, “Why is Pawan Kalyan not speaking now when he previously stirred the pot?”
Moreover, former Minister Kurasaala Kannababu condemned the misinformation spread about government buildings in Rushikonda and questioned the legitimacy of encroaching on high-value land. He asserted that the YSR Congress would fight to protect these lands, emphasizing the responsibility of coalition leaders to take a stand against the encroachments.
As the political climate intensifies in Visakhapatnam, the call for accountability and transparency regarding land allocations is likely to remain at the forefront of public discourse. The ongoing scrutiny of Pawan Kalyan’s silence could significantly impact his political standing and the broader landscape of governance in the region.
