Announce Vizag as HQ for new Railway zone, Muttamsetti demands Centre

Visakhapatnam: Tourism Minister M Srinivasa Rao alleged that the BJP lacked integrity.

He was responding to the recent statement made by BJP State president Somu Veerraju that both TDP and YSRCP Rajya Sabha members in Rayalaseema need to tender resignation and go for a referendum.

While sharing details of the new tourism policy on Saturday at the circuit house, the Minister said BJP should keep its promise of announcing a new railway zone with Visakhapatnam as headquarters.

"Though they made an announcement in this regard long back, it failed to make any headway. Development of the State largely depends on the Central government's support as the State contributes a large sum in the form of taxes to the Centre. Is it not having the responsibility to develop the State?" wondered the Minister.

As a part of the three-capital move, the Minister wondered if the BJP would extend support in making Kurnool the Judicial Capital.

He also said that the BJP should come forward to sanction funds to complete the Polavaram project.

About the ongoing Amaravati issue, the Tourism Minister alleged that TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu failed to consider development beyond the 29 villages of the region. "His love is not for the farmers in Amaravati but to save the sites of a section of people who invested in making Amaravati the sole capital," he pointed out.

The Tourism Minister further alleged that the TDP chief was disturbing the law and order in the State. "Even while a YSRCP leader tried to help a CI on duty during a protest, Naidu tried to mislead the gesture and poticise it," he said.