Opposition politicising Rishikonda issue

Kakinada: Industries minister Gudivada Amarnath lashed out at the opposition, saying they were politicising the Rishikonda issue and also opposing development activities taken up by the government in Visakhapatnam.

The minister participated in several development-related events held at the anchorage port in Kakinada on Friday. He told the media the government wanted to construct a building at Rishikonda for the tourism department, but the opposition parties politicized it. “Rishikonda is a tourism spot and anybody can visit the place,” he said.

Amarnath said Narayana also could visit the Rishikonda area and observe the development works there. He urged the opposition not to hurt development while promoting their political interests. “The CPI has become the “Chandrababu Party of India,’’ he said in jest.

The minister said that the late cine director D Ramanaidu had constructed a studio in the hillock area. IT-SEZs also have been developed in the hillock areas. “Now, when the government constructs a building, the opposition parties are raising a hue and cry.”

Speaking about the padayatra to be undertaken by Telugu Desam leader Nara Lokesh, Amarnath said that irrespective of Lokesh undertaking the padayatra for 4,000km or 40,000km, or whether he crawls or begs for votes, he would not be elected to the assembly from any constituency in Andhra Pradesh.