The Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to host Beach Love Festival at Visakhapatnam from February 12 to 14 has drawn strong criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party, the political ally of ruling Telugu Desam Party.
“This is ridiculous. How can chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu expect that he can attract investors to the state by hosting such vulgar festivals? I am told the government will allow bikini-clad girls to perform at the beach festivals. I thought bikini means skirt. But on searching on the internet, I came to know that it is a skimpy dress. How can bikini-clad girls bring investments to the state?” asked BJP flood leader in the assembly Vishnu Kumar Raju.
YSR Congress party, too, took strong exception to hosting such festivals. “There is no need for hosting separate festivals to express love. We, Indians, have enough love in their hearts. We strongly oppose the government’s move to host such a festival that would denigrate our culture,” YSRC leader Bhumana Karunakar Reddy said.
The Naidu government has engaged Positive Global Services and Consultancy to host the festival immediately after the CII Partnership Summit. According to the reports, the highlight of the festival is going to be renowned pop singer Shakira, who is going to shake a leg and sing for the youth. She is going to perform for three days. Apart from Shakira show, there would be rockshows by popular bands, beauty pageants and food festivals, besides song and dance shows by Tollywood and Bollywood personalities.
The festival is going to be jointly hosted by the Department of Tourism, Visakha Urban Development Authority and Department of Youth and Cultural Affairs.
