YSRCP accused of stalling Google project to protect benami lands*

.                    by Sharma K.V. Editor
Visakhapatnam, October 3:* Andhra Pradesh is poised to script a landmark chapter in its technological journey, with Visakhapatnam emerging as the largest IT hub on the eastern seaboard. This transformation, *State TDP president and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao* asserted, is the result of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s foresight and IT Minister Nara Lokesh’s relentless efforts in attracting global giants such as TCS, Cognizant, Accenture, and now, Google.

Addressing a press conference in Gajuwaka on Friday, Mr. Palla described the arrival of Google as a “historic milestone” for Andhra Pradesh’s aspirations to secure a place on the global IT map. “The people’s hopes are being realised, but the YSRCP leadership is intent on sabotaging these aspirations for its own vested interests,” he charged.

According to him, the YSRCP had previously attempted to block TCS through litigation and is now conspiring to derail the Google project as well. “The true agenda of YSRCP leaders is not the welfare of farmers, but the protection of their benami lands,” he alleged.

*₹50,000-crore investment under threat*

The government has earmarked 200 acres at Bhimili and Tharuvada for a Google Data Centre, offering compensation of ₹19.55 lakh per acre to farmers. Despite this, YSRCP leaders, Mr. Rao said, have approached the courts under the guise of farmers, while in reality seeking to safeguard lands acquired in benami names. “They have even gone to the extent of filing cases in the names of deceased farmers to create a façade of resistance,” he remarked.

*Benami dealings during Jagan regime*

Mr. Palla further alleged that it was during Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure that YSRCP leaders, aided by pliant bureaucrats, cornered vast tracts of land in Anandapuram, Padmanabham, Pendurthi, and Bhimili mandals under benami holdings. “Nearly 300 acres were usurped in this manner. Now that these very parcels have been allocated to Google, they are attempting to erect legal hurdles to protect their illicit acquisitions,” he claimed.

Mr. Palla insisted that the ₹50,000-crore investment proposed by Google would be a gamechanger for Andhra Pradesh’s economy, creating employment and placing Visakhapatnam firmly on the global digital map. “It is tragic that YSRCP is playing politics with the future of the youth and the aspirations of the people,” he said.