Panchadarla mining row: YSRCP creating a conspiracy out of nothing, says JSP MLA

Jana Sena Party (JSP) MLA Sundarapu Vijay Kumar on Wednesday strongly opposed allegations made by leaders of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regarding alleged illegal mining activities at the Panchadarla Hills in Anakapalli district, during their ‘Chalo Panchadarla’ protest on Tuesday.

Describing the allegations as “politically motivated” and “baseless”, he accused the opposition party of attempting to create unrest among devotees by spreading misinformation about the revered temple site.

Mr. Kumar alleged that the YSRCP was orchestrating a conspiracy to create divisions and disturb communal harmony by circulating false propaganda concerning Panchadarla and its temple. He said such campaigns were aimed at “misleading the public” and “tarnishing the image” of the ruling government.

Refuting claims that illegal mining had led to the shrinking of the natural springs at Panchadarla, the Yelamanchili MLA asserted that there was no truth in the allegations. He also dismissed accusations linking him as a benami of a mining company, terming them completely false.

Mr. Kumar alleged that former YSRCP MLA Karanam Dharmasri was the “main culprit” behind what he described as a deliberate conspiracy to spread misinformation on the issue. He announced that he would urge the State government to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the matter and expose those responsible for creating what he termed a fabricated controversy.

The MLA said that a resolution had recently been proposed during the District Review Committee (DRC) meeting to declare the Panchadarla Hills a ‘No-Excavation Zone’. He noted that the proposal received unanimous support from all leaders of the NDA.

Criticising the previous YSRCP government, Mr. Kumar alleged that several incidents of vandalism targeting Hindu temples and idols had occurred during its tenure. He claimed that numerous temple attacks and desecration of Hindu idols took place under the previous administration and accused the YSRCP of now attempting to divert public attention by making unfounded allegations against the current government.