The ongoing tussle within the Vizianagaram royal family over Mansas trust has taken an ugly turn with the second wife and her daughter of late Ananda Gajapathi Raju crying foul over the alleged humiliation by his first daughter Sanchaita Gajapathi Raju at Sirimanothsavaam festivities at Vizianagaram on Tuesday.
Sanchaita, who took over as the chairperson of Mansas Trust started by the royal family of Vizianagaram and also as chief of Simhachalam temple trust board a few months ago, lashed out at her cousin Urmila for making false allegations against her.
In a clarification on Friday, Sanchaita said as part of the customs, she and her guests were allotted front row to witness the Sirimanotsavam ceremony at the fort.
“However, some extended family members walked in without prior intimation with an entourage of male chaperones and occupied the front two rows,” she pointed out.
She said out of courtesy, she had let them sit and ordered a chair for herself and was flanked by the Executive officer and the Correspondent of Mansas.
“Urmila and her mother, who were sitting next to the EO watched the event for over 45 minutes and then left the venue,” she recalled.
Sanchaita alleged that both mother and daughter surprisingly told the media that they were not given any seats and therefore left the festival midway.
“They claimed that since they belong to the Royal family they had to be given the respect shown to the Maharanis and Princesses,” she criticized.
She said all ceremonies belong to the people of Vizianagaram and feudal mindsets have no place in 21st century modern progressive democratic India, which is mandated by the principle of a government by the people, of the people and for the people.
“The petulant behaviour of the young lady and her mother only underscores their arrogance, lack of empathy and insensitivity towards the common working class,” Sanchaita alleged.
