Amid a tense atmosphere and strong protests from opposition parties, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation on Friday approved the regularization of 54.79 acres of land occupied by GITAM University at Rushikonda in Visakhapatnam, people familiar with the matter said.
Land occupied by GITAM University has been regularizedA resolution to this effect was passed by the GVMC Council in a voice vote without discussion along with 14 other items on the agenda.
Mayor Pila Srinivas Rao announced that the agenda was adopted unanimously and adjourned the council due to strong opposition from YSR Congress Party and Communist Party of India (Marxist) members.
A tense atmosphere prevailed at the GVMC office, as YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) corporators protested in front of the mayor’s dais, disrupting proceedings and raising slogans against alleged irregularities linked to the disputed lands.
The protest soon turned into a clash between the corporators of the ruling coalition and the opposition. Chaos broke out in the council hall as opposition members raised slogans against the corporation’s move to regularize valuable land. ₹5,000 crore to private universities led by Telugu Desam Party parliamentarian Mathukumil Sri Bharat.
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Before the council meeting began, CPI(M) workers joined YSRCP corporators and staged a protest outside the premises. Police intervention led to a scuffle, during which several people were injured. In the chaos, YSRCP corporator Lakshman Rao was injured in the leg.
The council meeting was attended by alliance MLAs Velagapudi Ramakrishna, Palla Srinivas and Bhamsikrishna. Senior YSRCP leader and former minister Botsa Satyanarayan alleged that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his family members were involved in land grabbing in Visakhapatnam.
Satyanarayan said the YSRCP would raise the issue in Parliament. He said, “Party’s movement will continue until the decision is withdrawn.
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Later Visakhapatnam Mayor Pilla Srinivasa Rao alleged that he was attempted to be assaulted during the council session. He claimed that three YSRCP members jumped on the mayor’s dais and tried to assault him.
The Mayor also informed that YSRCP Deputy Mayor Satish was among those involved in the alleged attack attempt. He also alleged that Botsa Satyanarayan was behind the incident despite not being a member of the GVMC council.
“I strongly condemn the conduct of Opposition Leader Botsa Satyanarayan. YSRCP members came to the council with the intention of attacking me, not for discussion,” the mayor said, adding that the members involved have been suspended for their actions.
Srinivas Rao clarified that the GVMC Council had committed no wrongdoing regarding the Geetam University land and urged the opposition corporates to focus on issues rather than targeting individuals.
