Rajiv Gandhi memorial to demolish, Congress alleged

NPnews24 online New Delhi: Congress in Andhra Pradesh has alleged that the YS Jaganmohan Reddy-led YSR Congress government is planning to demolish the Rajiv Smruthi Bhavan in Visakhapatnam. The building is a memorial of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Allegation comes after the state government demolished Praja Vedhika (a hall adjacent to former chief minister Chandrababu Naidu’s residence), and served notice to Naidu and his party TDP for illegal construction.

Levelling the allegations, the Congress said the Jaganmohan Reddy is attacking the Opposition using vendetta politics. Built in 2008, the Rajiv Smruthi Bhavan is a memorial and cultural centre located at Beach Road in Visakhapatnam. Before his assassination in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, Rajiv Gandhi had spent a day in Vishakhapatnam.

The memorial and cultural centre hosts a permanent photo exhibition on Rajiv Gandhi. Besides this, it also serves as a centre for classical and Carnatic music. Senior Congress leader and a close aide of Rajiv Gandhi, Hanumanth Rao said the new government headed by YS Jaganmohan Reddy is playing “vindictive politics” to “finish” the Opposition in Andhra Pradesh. “He [Reddy] was given the mandate to do welfare.

“I warn him that he has to first kill me only then will he be able to demolish the Rajiv Gandhi’s memorial. Rajiv jee loved Andhra Pradesh, its people, including Jaganmohan Reddy’s father YSR,” Hanumanth Rao told India Today TV.

Meanwhile, India Today TV has accessed some documents which show that the state government has floated a tender for “removal of roofing sheets, trusses (structure that supports the roof), structural glazing glasses and false ceiling” of Rajiv Smruthi Bhavan in Vishakhapatnam.

The last date for submitting a bid is July 4 (today) and the estimated cost of the project is Rs 8.47 lakh.

When contacted, the local administration denied having any plans to demolish the memorial.

Commissioner of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), G Srujana said, “The government is in the process of expanding the Naval Museum which houses a submarine and a TU-142 aircraft. The government has procured a Sea Harrier plane as part of the integrated Naval Museum and Tourism Complex. The plane will be placed at the Rajiv Smruthi Bhavan.”