Despite strong protests from opposition parties, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation on Friday approved the regularisation of 54.79 acres of land, under the occupation of GITAM University at Rushikonda in Visakhapatnam, owned by Telugu Desam Party MP Mathukumilli Sri Bharat.
The GVMC council passed a resolution by voice vote along with 14 other items on the agenda without any discussion, despite protests from the YSRCP council members, who stormed the podium of Mayor Peela Srinivas Rao.
The Mayor declared that the agenda was adopted unanimously and adjourned the council, prompting strong opposition from YSRCP and Communist Party of India (Marxist) members.
A tense atmosphere prevailed at the GVMC office, as protests by YSRCP corporators staged a sit-in protest in front of the Mayor’s podium, disrupting proceedings and raising slogans against alleged irregularities linked to the disputed lands.
The protest soon escalated into a confrontation between corporators of the ruling coalition and the opposition.
A complete chaos prevailed in the council hall, as the opposition members raised slogans against the corporation’s move to regularise precious lands worth Rs 5,000 crore to the GITAM University.
Before the commencement of the council meeting, the CPI (M) activists joined the YSRCP corporators staged a demonstration outside the premises.
Police intervention led to a scuffle, during which several people sustained injuries. YSRCP corporator Lakshman Rao suffered an injury to his leg amid the chaos.
The council meeting was attended by coalition MLAs Velagapudi Ramakrishna, Palla Srinivas, and Vamsikrishna.
Senior YSRCP leader and former minister Botsa Satyanarayana alleged that chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his family members were involved in land encroachments in Visakhapatnam.
Satyanarayana said the YSRCP would raise the issue in Parliament. The party’s agitation would continue until the decision is withdrawn,” he said.
