Hanamkonda: Chief Whip Vinay Bhaskar condemns BJP for creating hurdles

Hanamkonda: Chief Whip D Vinay Bhaskar has come down heavily on BJP, accusing it of creating ruckus over land that was earmarked for the

construction of Smriti Vanam for Telangana ideologue Prof Jayashankar. Speaking to media persons here on Sunday, he found fault with the BJP leaders for coming in the way of the State government, which wants to construct a ghat in memory of Prof Jayashankar at Padmakshi Colony.

It may be mentioned here that BJP was supporting the priests of Siddeshwara Swamy temple who claim that the land belongs to

the temple. Vinay alleged that the said land, which houses the gravestones of Prof Jayashankar and his parents, was encroached upon by the temple. Moreover, the land was donated by Prof Jayashankar. He also found fault with some persons belonging to the Siddheshwara temple who had constructed a wall adjacent to the tombs, he added.

"It's unfortunate to see hurdles for the development of ghat in memory of Prof Jayashankar, who fought for the separate Telangana till his death," Vinay said. People who came up with illegal constructions without giving due respect to the tomb were also objecting the people's representatives and government officials from entering the land, he alleged.

Brahmam, the adopted son of Prof Jayashankar, said that he wrote a letter to the State government, the Endowments Ministry and the Urban District Collector to take appropriate action against the encroachers.

Despite the status quo directions from the Supreme Court, a wall was constructed, he said.

MA&UD Minister KT Rama Rao had instructed the District Collector, Municipal Commissioner and endowment department officials to look into the matter, it's learnt. "We are ready to pay the costs as per the Endowments Department regulations and develop Prof Jayashankar ghat.

It's a deliberate effort to create a division among the people in the name of god and religion, he said, criticising the BJP leaders. He asked the BJP leaders to come out with their stand on Prof Jayashankar Ghat.