‘Jagan Mohan Reddy thought he was Andhra’s Saddam Hussein’: Nara Lokesh blasts former CM over Rushikonda ‘Sheeshmahal’

Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh

Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh has sharply criticised YSRCP chief and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, accusing him of misusing public funds to construct a lavish mansion on Rushikonda hill.

Terming the mansion as Andhra Pradesh’s ‘Sheesh Mahal’ (glass palace), Lokesh alleged that the location was originally designated for a tourism project but was converted into a private luxury residence.

Hitting out at Jagan Reddy’s leadership, Lokesh stated, "He thought he was the Saddam Hussein of Andhra Pradesh and would remain in power for 30 years."

He added that coming from a political family, he himself had never seen such extravagant accommodations. “My grandfather was the CM, my father is the CM, but I have never seen such big rooms in my life,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.

Lokesh revealed that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had fined the state Rs 200 crore for environmental breaches linked to the construction and noted that Jagan Reddy's family of four lived in a Rs 700 crore mansion.

"His (Jagan Mohan Reddy's) family is small; just four members are left. His sister and mother have been removed from the family. Just for the four people to live in a house, Rs 700 crores were spent. Even the PM doesn't have such a big house. We will think what to do with the house," he stated.

The current Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led NDA government is grappling with how to repurpose the luxurious estate, while chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu's team has accused Jagan Mohan Reddy of severely misusing public funds.