Jagan Mohan Reddy's demolition drive reaches Chandrababu Naidu's doorstep

Amaravati: Amid the continuing spat between the former and current chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, the demolition drive by its government reached the doorstep of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N Chandrababu Naidu.

Civic authorities in Andhra Pradesh capital city of Amaravati on Monday started demolishing unauthorized constructions on the banks of Krishna river, in a clear indication that their next target could be the residence of former chief minister.

Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) officials razed unauthorized construction belonging to a TDP leader near Naidu's residence in Vundavalli village.

The workers dismantled the cement ramp amid tight security. APCRDA officials said the TDP leader P Koteswara Rao had constructed the building in the river bed in violation of rules and regulations.

The development came two days after Naidu's residence was served fresh demolition notice.

Praja Vedika, a government building adjacent to Naidu's residence, was demolished in June, a month after Jagan Mohan Reddy government took reins of the power following TDP's defeat in the elections.

An order dated September 19 but pasted on September 21 had asked Lingamaneni Ramesh to remove the unauthorized construction within seven days, failing which APCRDA will remove the same.

In response to the preliminary order-cum-show cause notice, the building owner had sought a personal hearing and sent his general power of attorney and advocates to the APCRDA Commissioner on July 15.

They had sought 10 days time to submit documents and 'other requisites, but nothing was filed till date, the APCRDA Commissioner said on Saturday.

He issued the proceedings on September 19, stating that the building owner's reply to the show-cause notice was "not to the satisfaction of this Authority".

According to APCRDA, provisional notices were issued for 24 unauthorized constructions along the river. 'Confirmation orders' were issued in respect of five constructions as Authority found that there is no merit in any of the grounds mentioned in the explanation by the owners.

"For remaining 19 constructions, the explanation submitted are under examination in which 5 cases need to be disposed complying the High Court Orders," it said.

TDP alleged that government was acting with political vendetta.

Naidu, as the then chief minister of AP, leased the riverfront bungalow in June 2015 and got it notified as the official residence of the chief minister.

Notices against this structure which was built in violation of the Environment Protection Act and River Conservation Act, among others in February 2015 also.

But no action was taken after Naidu occupied the bungalow.

He later claimed that the state government took possession of the bungalow since he, as the chief minister, was occupying it.

After losing power, he wrote to the chief minister on June 5, stating that the bungalow he was staying in was private property.

(With inputs from IANS and PTI)