GVMC elections will be a battle between 'Sale Vizag' and 'Save Vizag': YSRCP leaders

Ahead of the local body polls, YSRCP leaders on Sunday accused the NDA government of prioritising the sale of Visakhapatnam’s valuable land to corporate entities over public welfare. They stated that the upcoming Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) elections will be a battle between 'Sale Vizag' and 'Save Vizag'.

Former Ministers Kurasala Kannababu and Gudivada Amarnath, MLC and YSRCP mayoral candidate Varudu Kalyani, and party Visakhapatnam district president K.K. Raju levelled the allegations during a press conference at the party office on Sunday. They also unveiled a 'Save Vizag' poster as part of the party’s campaign for the municipal elections.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Kannababu alleged that the development undertaken in Visakhapatnam during the past two-and-a-half years under the NDA government was focused on publicity through yoga events, summits and photo opportunities rather than addressing people's problems.

He alleged that thousands of acres were being allotted to corporate entities while poor people were being denied house sites. The government’s land-allotment policies were turning Visakhapatnam into 'Sale Vizag', he said, referring to the alleged allotment of valuable land at nominal prices. He also pointed out the drinking water shortages reported in the city and also accused the government of taking credit for projects initiated earlier.

Former Minister Gudivada Amarnath said the party would promote a 'Blue Vizag' vision under Mayoral Candidate Kalyani’s leadership, focusing on beach development, tourism, sanitation, public health, drinking water, roads, parks, sports facilities and environmental protection.

Mr. Raju alleged that coalition leaders were threatening YSRCP corporator candidates and pressuring them to withdraw from the contest, including offering them financial inducements.

Ms. Kalyani alleged that the government had failed to fulfil its election promises and raised concerns over drinking water shortages, environmental damage around Simhachalam and the threat of privatisation facing Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. She also accused the government of removing poor people's roadside shops and small houses in the name of 'Operation Lungs'