The overnight demolition of compound wall and other structures in GITAM University at Visakhapatnam by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) on Saturday triggered a major political row.
While the Telugu Desam Party leaders have naturally reacted strongly and condemned the demolitions describing them as an act of vengeance by the Jagan Mohan Reddy government, the YSR Congress party leaders shot back at the TDP leaders for defending encroachment of government land by the university.
Senior YSRC leader and Anakapalle MLA Gudivada Amarnath gave strong retort to the TDP leaders saying there was no question of sparing anybody who resorted to illegal encroachment of government lands and properties.
“What the government has done in case of GITAM University lands was recovery of encroached lands worth Rs 800 crore. Inquiries have revealed that Bharat, co-brother of TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh, is in illegal possession of over 40 acres of government land. What is wrong in taking back the government land?” Amarnath asked.
He said if it was proved that the confiscation of occupied property was illegal, the government would not hesitate to tender an apology.
“These people have brought bad name to the university by naming it after Mahatma Gandhi and resorting to illegal land occupation,” the YSRC leader said.
Refuting the allegation that the government had not given any notice to the university authorities, the MLA said notices were served on the university five months ago.
“There is no need for the government to inform them before demolitions, as the notice period is over,” he said.
