The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Merugu Nagarjuna has said that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Andhra Pradesh should complete the pending works at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar statue in Vijayawada’s Swaraj Maidan soon. The government is neglecting the statue, he alleged.
Marking the statue’s first anniversary on Tuesday, he described it as a symbol of social justice. The statue was installed during the YSRCP’s tenure to inspire the future generations.
Mr. Nagarjuna, who was the chairman of the statue’s construction committee, criticised the NDA government for ‘halting’ the essential works such as the convention centre and compound wall though funds were sanctioned.
He criticised the removal of key elements such as the inscribed names, and lighting, leaving the statue in the dark in the night. He decried the “attempts to lease the area to private entities”, saying that the move was disrespectful.
The former Minister noted that the TDP government, during its previous tenure, had failed to fulfil its promise of building the monument and that former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had built the statue.
Alleging neglect of the site and delays in the payment of staff salaries, Mr. Nagarjuna urged the government for speedy completion of the pending works and proper maintenance the facility.
Published - January 22, 2025 08:38 am IST
