Rajamahendravaram, August 3: Former MP Margani Bharat Ram said the coalition government’s defective riverfront beautification works have pushed Rajamahendravaram towards a serious disaster. After inspecting the works near the Markandeya temple with YSRCP leaders, he questioned why officials and public representatives remained silent even as the Godavari bund road weakened and sandbags were being used to prevent its collapse. With the river already at the second warning level and flood discharges having previously touched 20–25 lakh cusecs, any further rise could endanger the city. He warned that YSRCP would approach the High Court unless criminal cases were registered against those responsible.
Bharat said irrigation norms and technical advice were being ignored. The screen installed at Kotilingala Revu was already submerged, while a higher structure could have prevented the problem. Though a pumping station was built at Kambala Cheruvu to divert rainwater towards A.B. Nageswara Rao Park, officials were not using it effectively, leaving several areas vulnerable to flooding. Railway Station Road was also getting submerged even after minor rainfall.
He said the Chandrababu government was targeting BC leaders in YSRCP through false cases, arrests and police action, citing Jogi Ramesh, Karumuri Sunil, Seediri Appalaraju, Chintada Ravikumar and MLA Virupakshi. He demanded a comprehensive inquiry into all such arrests.
Bharat announced that YS Jagan would visit Devarapalli on August 5 in support of tobacco farmers and urged farmers to attend in large numbers. He said tobacco growers received up to Rs. 40,000 per quintal during Jagan’s tenure, while current prices were not even half that amount.
He asserted that the complete credit for Bhogapuram Airport belonged to YS Jagan, who acquired nearly 2,800 acres and laid the foundation for construction. He said remarks made by a local woman about an “airport where even a red bus does not reach” were being falsely attributed to YS Jagan, while Chandrababu, Pawan Kalyan and Lokesh were now claiming credit for work completed under the previous government.
*Stop vendetta against BC leaders: YSRCP*
