Amaravati

YSRCP supremo YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of claiming "credit for the Bhogapuram Airport without contribution" and called it the TDP supremo's "brand of politics."

The former chief minister asserted that the previous YSRCP government had done a great deal of work, starting from signing the concession agreement with GMR in June 2020 for the construction of the airport to land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) and site clearance.

Likewise, he claimed that the previous government had obtained NOCs (no objection certificates) and security clearances, including providing water supply, power supply and aeronautical services.

"A project built by one, but claimed by another, that's the story of Bhogapuram Airport. The work was done by YSRCP. The publicity belongs to Chandrababu! Credit without Contribution: That is Chandrababu's Brand of Politics," Jagan said in a post on 'X'.

Alleging that Naidu is making every possible attempt to steal the credit for the Bhogapuram Airport, he claimed that the former wants all the recognition for himself and is indulging in nothing short of "credit theft."

"Chandrababu, at least ask your own conscience what you have actually done for the Bhogapuram Airport. Apart from hurriedly laying a foundation stone just a month before the 2019 elections, despite having done nothing, what exactly did you contribute to this project," he asked.

According to Jagan, the previous YSRCP regime completed the land acquisition for the airport, which the TDP government "failed" to accomplish between 2014 and 2019.

"We provided rehabilitation to the displaced people from four villages," he said, adding that the previous YSRCP government had spent Rs 967 crore on land acquisition and R&R, Rs 75 crore for bringing water to the airport and Rs 134.5 crore for infrastructure.

Jagan asserted that his government had spent Rs 7.29 crore for alternative roads, and Rs 2.35 crore for the (power) substation, making a total investment of Rs 1,200 crore, questioning, "So, what exactly did you do, Chandrababu."

"It is because we completed all these works, secured every approval, obtained every NOC, and provided all the required infrastructure that, despite facing the unprecedented Covid pandemic, we were able to commence construction and take the runway works to a crucial stage by the time of the 2024 elections," he said.

The terminal construction was also progressing rapidly, Jagan said, emphasising that it was "in recognition of our government's extensive efforts that we had announced that flight operations from Bhogapuram would commence by June 2026."

"We can proudly say that the airport is ready for inauguration today only because of the work carried out by our government," he claimed.

While laying the foundation for a mall in Vizag on August 1, 2023, the former CM had said that projects like "Adani Data Centre, Mulapeta Port and the Bhogapuram international airport will transform the fortunes of the North Andhra region."

"But, Mr Chandrababu, you did nothing then, and you are doing nothing now. Even today, there is no proper road connectivity for passengers to reach the airport quickly from Visakhapatnam city," Jagan said.

The airport may be ready, but there is still no road that enables people to reach it from the city in a short time, he alleged.

"At the time of the foundation stone laying for the Bhogapuram Airport, we strongly persuaded the Central government to sanction a six-lane 55-km highway with a width of 77 metres at a cost of Rs 6,300 crore to provide fast connectivity from Visakhapatnam city to the airport," the former CM said.

Further, Jagan asserted that Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had himself announced the sanction of this road at the 2023 Global Investors Summit organised by the previous YSRCP government in the port city of Vizag, sharing a video of Gadakari's speech from that time.

Despite the TDP being in power for two years, there is no progress on this crucial road link, he alleged.

Today, passengers travelling to Bhogapuram Airport are forced to undergo immense hardship, he claimed, adding that it reflects Naidu's "sincerity".

"Please stop claiming credit without doing the work, seeking recognition without putting in the effort, and appropriating the hard work of others. At nearly 80 years of age, it is time you (Naidu) gave up this habit," Jagan said.

Moreover, the opposition leader observed that it is a matter of great happiness that the Bhogapuram Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, which is set to become another jewel in the crown of North Andhra, is ready for inauguration.

There is no doubt that this airport will play a crucial role in the development of North Andhra, he said, adding that the inauguration of the airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi (August 1) will bring international recognition to Bhogapuram.

As a result, the airport will gain wider visibility across India and abroad, creating greater opportunities for business, commerce, and tourism, he highlighted.

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Meanwhile, there was no immediate reaction from the TDP.