Amaravati

The TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh has decided to reclaim 15 acres of land that was given to Sri Sarada Peetham near Visakhapatnam by the previous YSR Congress government. This decision was made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by CM N. Chandrababu Naidu.

The land was originally allotted in 2021 at the request of the Peetham’s leader, Swaroopanandendra Saraswati, who is also the spiritual mentor of former CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. The land was intended for a Vedic school, but the seer later requested changes to the government order to allow for different uses. The previous government amended the order earlier this year.

There were allegations that the land was given at a very low price in exchange for a yagna performed for Reddy’s victory. After the TDP-led NDA took power in June, various groups, including the Jana Sena and the Visakha District Dalit Unity Forum, called for the cancellation of this land allotment.

Andhra Pradesh Sadhu Parishad President Srinivasananda Saraswati also supported this demand. Naidu criticized the previous government for leasing valuable land at just ₹1 lakh per acre, claiming that 1.75 lakh acres worth ₹35,000 crore were illegally occupied during their term. He announced plans to introduce the AP Land Grabbing Act to combat illegal land occupation, requiring those claiming ownership to prove their rights.