Chandeliers, Rs 36 Lakh Bathtub: Jagan's 'Saddam Hussein-style Palace' on Rushikonda Hill Draws Ire

New Delhi:  Days after Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president Chandrababu Naidu took over as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, a lavish hilltop ‘palace’ in Vishakhapatnam, or Vizag, has come to light. The TDP has claimed that the lavish property on Rushikonda Hill was built in secrecy behind imposing barricades and was purportedly designated as a camp office for former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy, who aimed to establish Vizag as the state capital after winning elections.  Furthermore, the ruling party (TDP) alleged that the former YSRCP government cleared trees at this iconic site to erect the palace for Reddy, despite his eventual defeat in the elections.    

What is the controversy about and why is the TDP raking it up? 5 Points

• In late 2021, the YSRCP government announced plans to transform the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC)-run Haritha resort on the hill into a tourist attraction.
• Following the announcement, a 9.88-acre area of the resort has been restricted from public access, with the YSRCP government citing ongoing development work.
• The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has consistently raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the project, suggesting that there is unnecessary secrecy involved.
• Accusations of Misuse: The TDP has accused the YSRCP of using the redevelopment as a pretext to construct a luxurious residence, labeled a “Raj Mahal,” for Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy.
• TDP's national general secretary, Nara Lokesh, claims that Jagan Reddy intends to use the redeveloped resort exclusively as his camp office, with the project costing ₹500 crore from the state exchequer.  

Hitting out at Jagan, BJP Spokesperson Vinusha Reddy claimed the opulent property was built using public money. "The palace-like construction by Jagan has shocked everyone. He spent 36 lakhs on a bathtub, 3.5 lakhs on a commode, and furnished the palace with royal furniture. All this is nothing but public money," BJP's Reddy alleged.

TDP MLA Ganta Srinivas Rao, leading an NDA delegation and media, conducted the inaugural tour of the opulent "hilltop palace" overlooking a beach on Sunday, leaving attendees in awe. If reports are to be believed, the Central Government granted CRZ (Coastal Regulatory Zone) clearance in May 2021 for a tourism project planned by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation at Rushikonda Hills.  

Rao lambasted the former government for constructing it discreetly, utilizing public funds for extravagant amenities, top-notch furnishings, elegant chandeliers, luxurious bathtubs, and other lavish features. He drew comparisons between the opulence of this structure and palaces built by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and those built closer to home, those by Gali Janardhan Reddy. He argued that this so-called "palace" notably features a large conference hall intended for reviews and meetings, which starkly contrasts with typical tourist properties.

The costs associated with the construction were shrouded in secrecy, with the TDP alleging that contracts were selectively awarded to supporters of Jagan's YSRCP. According to the TDP leader, the state government demolished green resorts dedicated to tourism on Rushikonda, which reportedly generated an annual income of up to ₹8 crore, to make way for this controversial edifice. He further accused the state government of misleading the courts by initially labelling it as a star hotel, then as a "CM camp office," and later attempting to rebrand it as a tourism project.

How did YSRCP Respond?

However, a leader from Jagan Reddy's party refuted all claims that the former chief minister constructed a massive camp office using public money. "The property was intended to host the Prime Minister, President, and other dignitaries because Vizag was slated to become the capital city. It was not designed as a CM camp office," stated former industry minister G Amarnath.