• Source:JND
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A posh hilltop palace built by former Andhra Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy in Visakhapatnam was on Sunday revealed to the public. The sumptuous property built on Rushikonda Hill has erupted into a political storm with the TDP alleging YSRCP chief built it as his camp office after declaring Vizag as the state capital.

An NDA delegation and several media persons, led by TDP MLA Ganta Srinivas Rao, paid a visit to the opulent property on Sunday. It was the first-ever tour of the lavish palace as it remained hidden behind barricades throughout its construction.

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TDP's national general secretary Nara Lokesh said the sea-facing property was built by Jagan Mohan Reddy for his personal use at a cost of Rs 500 crore from the state exchequer.
However, YSRCP claims it was developed as a tourist destination.

A glimpse of the palace built by YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy on Rushikonda Hill in Visakhapatnam. Pic credit- X/@YSRCP_Youth_AP 

In 2021, the YSRCP government said they were mulling redevelopment of the Haritha resort, operated by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC), into a tourist attraction. The TDP has been attacking YSRCP since the inauguration of the project, alleging that a ‘Raj Mahal’ was being built for Jagan in the guise of the project.

TDP MLA Rao said the palace was built in secrecy and state funds were misused by Jagan. He said the palace has a conference room designed for meetings, besides other luxurious amenities, which was clearly not a feature of a tourist spot.

The TDP also alleged the construction cost of the property was kept confidential and tenders were given to people who were given to the YSRCP chief. Rao said the project was challenged in the high court and an expert committee found violations in it. He said Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his deputy Pawan Kalyan knew the reality of the contentious project.

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However, a leader of YSRC said the property was constructed to accommodate the Prime Minister, President and other dignitaries during their visit. "The property was meant to host the Prime Minister, President and other dignitaries since Vizag was going to be the capital city. It was not a CM camp office," NDTV quoted him as saying.