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In a press conference that escalated political tensions in Andhra Pradesh, former Minister Gudivada Amarnath launched scathing accusations against the state government, claiming it is orchestrating “false propaganda” to divert public attention from alleged land encroachment worth ₹5,000 crore involving TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu’s family.
Speaking at the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) headquarters on Tuesday, Amarnath asserted that a CBI-led Special Investigation Team has confirmed there was no animal fat in the Tirumala laddu, directly challenging recent allegations that had sparked religious controversy across the state.
“The government is deliberately playing with the religious sentiments of crores of Hindus,” Amarnath stated, “and when questioned about it, they are resorting to violence to evade responsibility.” He cited a coordinated campaign of anonymous flexis and hoardings displaying photographs of YSRCP leaders that have appeared throughout the state in what he characterized as an intimidation tactic.
The former minister highlighted two recent violent incidents targeting YSRCP leaders. He described the attack on former Minister Ambati Rambabu’s residence as “barbaric” and noted that within 24 hours, another former Minister, Jogi Ramesh, was targeted in an attack allegedly involving petrol bombs.
Amarnath’s most serious allegation concerned Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat, reportedly a relative of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, whom he accused of encroaching upon approximately 54 acres of government land. While Sribharat has allegedly valued the land at ₹1,000 crore, YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has claimed its actual worth is around ₹5,000 crore.
The accusations come at a particularly sensitive time in Andhra Pradesh politics, with religious controversies and land disputes dominating public discourse. The state has witnessed increasing polarization between TDP-led coalition government supporters and YSRCP opposition backers in recent months.
Responding to criticisms about land allocations during the previous YSRCP administration, Amarnath defended a controversial international school allocation, stating that land was provided at ₹1 crore per acre with strict conditions, including a mandate that 25% of seats be reserved free of cost for economically disadvantaged students.
He contrasted this with an allocation to the GITAM institution in 1998, which he claimed received 71 acres of government land at just ₹18,000 per acre. “Has even a single free seat been provided in nearly four decades?” Amarnath questioned, attempting to highlight what he described as the ruling coalition’s hypocrisy on land allocation issues.
The former minister also criticized proceedings at a recent Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Council meeting. According to Amarnath, despite opposition from YSRCP members, resolutions were passed by “locking the doors and refusing to allow the media into the meeting hall,” suggesting a lack of transparency in governance.
These allegations emerge amid heightened political tensions in the state, where the TDP-led coalition returned to power in the 2024 elections after a five-year hiatus. The YSRCP, now in opposition, has been aggressive in its criticism of the new government.
Political analysts note that land disputes have long been a contentious issue in Andhra Pradesh politics, particularly following the state’s bifurcation in 2014. The value of land in key urban centers has skyrocketed, making allegations of improper land deals particularly damaging to political reputations.
Neither the state government nor representatives of TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu have issued formal responses to Amarnath’s allegations as of press time. However, the accusations are likely to intensify the already heated political climate in Andhra Pradesh as both sides continue their public confrontation over governance, transparency, and corruption issues.
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16 Comments
Interesting allegations from the YSRCP leader. It seems there are complex political dynamics at play, with accusations of land grabbing and attempts to distract from the issue. I’m curious to learn more about the specifics of the land encroachment claims.
The allegation of a ₹5,000 crore land grab is certainly a significant one. I’ll be following this story closely to see how it unfolds and what evidence is presented.
This appears to be a complex and high-stakes political conflict, with serious allegations being leveled by the YSRCP leader. The claims of a ₹5,000 crore land grab and false propaganda are certainly attention-grabbing, but I’ll need to see the full scope of evidence before forming a firm opinion. Transparency and due process will be essential in determining the facts.
This appears to be a highly charged political dispute with serious allegations on both sides. The YSRCP leader’s claims of a ₹5,000 crore land grab and false propaganda are certainly concerning, but I’ll reserve judgment until more information comes to light through a transparent investigative process.
The alleged ₹5,000 crore land grab is a staggering figure, if true. However, the YSRCP leader’s claims of false propaganda and intimidation tactics are also very serious. This appears to be a high-stakes political battle where the truth may not be immediately clear.
Regardless of the political affiliations involved, I hope that this situation can be resolved through a fair and transparent process that prioritizes the rule of law and the public interest.
The YSRCP leader’s accusations are certainly dramatic, but I agree that we should withhold final judgment until a thorough investigation can establish the facts. Both sides seem to be making significant claims, so impartiality and due process will be crucial in resolving this dispute.
Regardless of the political affiliations involved, the public deserves to know the truth about any potential wrongdoing. I hope that the investigation into these allegations can be conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
This is a complex and contentious political dispute, with both sides making significant allegations. I’m interested to learn more about the specific evidence and claims surrounding the ₹5,000 crore land grab. Transparency and due process will be crucial in sorting out the facts.
The YSRCP leader’s accusations of a massive land grab and false propaganda are certainly attention-grabbing. However, without seeing the full scope of evidence, it’s difficult to assess the validity of these claims. I hope that a thorough and impartial investigation can shed light on the truth of the matter.
Given the high-profile nature of these allegations, it will be important for all parties involved to engage in the investigative process in good faith and prioritize the public interest over political agendas.
This appears to be a heated political dispute, with both sides making serious allegations. I appreciate the YSRCP leader’s transparency in addressing the religious controversy around the Tirumala laddu, but the claims of false propaganda and intimidation tactics are concerning.
It will be important for impartial investigators to carefully examine the evidence on all sides and determine the facts of the matter. Transparency and accountability are crucial in resolving such high-stakes political conflicts.
While the YSRCP leader’s accusations are concerning, I think it’s important to withhold judgment until the facts can be fully established. Both sides seem to be making serious claims, so a thorough and impartial investigation will be crucial.
The YSRCP leader’s accusations of a ₹5,000 crore land grab are quite striking. If substantiated, that would be a major scandal. However, the claims of false propaganda and intimidation tactics are also serious and warrant close scrutiny.
This appears to be a complex situation with competing narratives. I’ll be interested to see how the investigation into the land encroachment allegations proceeds and whether clear evidence can be presented on all sides.