Rushikonda Palace: 'Luxury Beyond Imagination,' Says CM Chandrababu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu visited the buildings in Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam, today. Afterward, he addressed the media, expressing surprise and emotion upon seeing the structures on Rushikonda.
The previous government repeatedly claimed that these buildings were constructed for tourism development. However, Chandrababu pointed out that whenever dignitaries from Delhi visit, they stay at the Navy Guest House in Visakhapatnam. "Then why were the Rushikonda buildings constructed, and for whom?" he questioned. He alleged that the Rushikonda palace was built solely for the personal benefit of one individual.
Chandrababu alleged that Rs. 36 lakh was spent on a bathtub alone and that an office complex was constructed in the "Gajapathi Block." He explained that the buildings were designed to provide ocean views from every angle. Chandrababu commented that the luxury here outshines all his palaces and revealed that a conference hall in the "Kalinga Block" was built to accommodate 300 people.
"I didn't think even kings would have such offices... they don't possess this kind of ingenuity. The corridor here made me think that even America's White House might not have something like this. Even Rashtrapati Bhavan in India has a smaller corridor. When we visit Delhi, we see that the British planned a relatively modest corridor there."
Chandrababu went on to explain that rooms were constructed for the personal assistants, and additional conference rooms were built next to a larger hall. The facilities include a 100 kV substation and a 200-ton central AC system. "We've seen chandeliers before," he remarked, "but here, they installed fancy fans." He also mentioned a large block built for staff and servants, calling it unimaginable.
"I'm astonished," he said. "I've travelled to many countries, but I can't fathom where these fraudsters found such innovation. They spent money like water, but it wasn’t their own money. They violated all regulations, deceived the High Court, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), and the central government."
Chandrababu stated that even officials were misled and suggested that a proper investigation could implicate many people. "This individual is ruthless, a hardened criminal," he said. "That’s why I refer to him as Escobar. Should such individuals be in politics? He talks about a war between the poor and landlords, yet builds palatial buildings under the guise of serving the poor. Our conscience should guide us, but he seems to have ignored even that," Chandrababu concluded.