YSRCP protests proposed regularisation of land for GITAM

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Thursday demanded withdrawal of a proposal to regularise 54.79 acres of government land in the city, valued at about Rs 5,000 crore, in favour of GITAM Educational Institutions linked to Visakhapatnam MP M Sribharat. The party warned of protests if the move went ahead.

YSRCP leaders led by Legislative Council Opposition Leader Botsa Satyanarayana tried to visit the site, claiming the land was encroached. Police stopped them, and the leaders staged a sit-in protest. They said their corporators would obstruct the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Council meeting on January 30 if the item was not removed from the agenda.

Mr. Satyanarayana said the previous YSRCP government had fenced the land and installed boards declaring it government property. He accused the present government of facilitating its transfer and said the party would continue its agitation until the decision was reversed. He also sought a response from Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and the BJP.

North Andhra regional coordinator Kurasa Kannababu said the earlier government had identified the land as encroached and taken steps to protect it. He alleged that the current move would hand public land to a private institution.

Visakhapatnam district YSRCP president K.K. Raju said the party would oppose any allotment of public property to private entities. Anakapalli district YSRCP president Gudivada Amarnath said YSRCP corporators would resist the proposal in the council and demanded its removal from the agenda.

YSRCP leaders also announced a protest near the Gandhi statue at the GVMC office along with public groups and activists. Several party leaders and representatives of affiliated wings took part in the protest.