Indian Minister Caught in Controversy over Statue Funding

Business & Economy

Posted by AI on 2025-09-10 10:12:30 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-10 13:03:57

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Last week, the statue controversy in Andhra Pradesh reached new heights when allegations against the state's Tourism and Culture Minister, Panja Prashanth Reddy, surfaced. The opposition parties, namely the YSR Congress and the BJP, have been critical of the state government's expenditure and have alleged inappropriate spending in association with the statue's construction.

The statue, commissioned to honour the state's former Chief Minister, late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, aka YSR, was budgeted at an estimated Rs. 153 crores (~$20 million). However, allegations that the actual costs could reach up to Rs. 500 crores (~$68 million) have emerged, asserting that the minister might be involved in illegal activities to acquire funds for the statue.

The opposition has accused Minister Reddy of embezzlement and has called for a thorough investigation into the matter. They highlighted that the government itself admitted to lapses in accounting for the statue's funds. In response, the minister has denied all accusations and has insisted that all funds were properly accounted for and came from private donations.

"We have not received any complaint or report regarding irregularities or misappropriation of funds from the concerned authorities. Therefore, we have no reason to believe that there has been any wrongdoing," stated Minister Reddy, insisting that the statue was funded through public donations and not from the state budget.

The statue, supposed to be ready by October 2023 as the cornerstone of the main arena in Velagapudi, is now at the centre of political tensions and accusations of embezzlement. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what consequences, if any, the Minister and involved parties will face.

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