Any political leader elevated to a Constitutional post such as Governor, President of India, or Vice-President of India is expected to rise above politics. In fact, one is required to quit active politics before taking up such an assignment.
Former Union minister and senior TDP leader P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, too, resigned from the party after being appointed as the Governor of Goa recently.
As a seasoned politician well-versed with constitutional and legal norms, he was expected to stay above political controversies.
But on Wednesday, Ashok Gajapathi Raju chose to make some strong political comments against former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh and YSR Congress party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, albeit indirectly.
Speaking at a felicitation event organised by the Kshatriya Seva Samiti in Visakhapatnam, Ashok lashed out at the lavish spending by the previous government on the construction of palatial bungalows at Rushikonda Hills.
“The Rushikonda Palace was built with public money. That structure will never generate income. Public money must be used for welfare, not wasted. The previous rulers troubled all of us, but we must stand firm and not surrender,” he said.
The Governor further added: “We unveiled Alluri’s statue; he should be our inspiration. I served as a minister for many years. Back then, loans were taken only for welfare. But the previous government mortgaged everything.”
He also claimed that the Rushikonda Palace, built at a cost of ₹600 crore, is already falling into disrepair.
“With that same money, the Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanthi project could have been completed,” he said.
Taking a sharp dig, Ashok added: “Now the government is asking people what should be done with the palace. My free advice: convert it into a mental hospital. At least the sea breeze will reach the wrongdoers who built it.”
