In Andhra Pradesh politics, hijacking completed or ongoing initiatives has reached a new height under the current administration. IT Minister Nara Lokesh’s public spectacle in Visakhapatnam—performing a second Bhumi Puja for Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu’s sports academy—exposes a desperate attempt to claim credit for a project conceived, land-allocated, and initiated under former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
The land for the P.V. Sindhu Badminton Academy and Sports School at Chinagadili (Thotagaruvu) in Visakhapatnam Rural Mandal was allocated free of cost by the YSRCP Government back in May and June 2021. P.V. Sindhu had already performed the official Bhumi Puja alongside her parents on November 7, 2024, and construction work, including raising pillars, was well underway. Re-staging a foundation-laying ceremony on August 5, 2026, for an already active construction site represents an expenditure of public funds and administrative effort purely for political optics.
Chronology of PV Sindhu Sports Academy Allotment & Execution
| Date / Timeline | Official Action / Event | Administrative & Policy Details |
|---|---|---|
| September 2019 | Initial Request by Shuttler P.V. Sindhu | P.V. Sindhu requested Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for land allotment in Vizag to establish a world-class badminton academy. |
| May 13, 2021 | Issuance of G.O. MS No. 103 | YSRCP Government transferred 2.00 acres in Sy. No. 72/11, 83/5 & 83/6 at Chinagadili (V), Visakhapatnam Rural to Sports Department. |
| June 17, 2021 | Issuance of G.O. MS No. 134 | Free of cost land alienation approved for P.V. Sindhu Badminton Academy & Sports School. An additional acre was later allocated to expand total land to 3 acres. |
| November 7, 2024 | Official First Groundbreaking (Bhumi Puja) | P.V. Sindhu and her parents performed the formal Bhumi Puja and commenced construction for the sports excellence center. |
| August 5, 2026 | Repeated Bhumi Puja by Minister Nara Lokesh | Nara Lokesh conducted a second foundation ceremony on the same ground where structural pillars had already been erected. |
Policy Comparison: Real Support vs. Photo-Op Politics
The contrast between the YSRCP’s direct support for sports icons and the coalition’s credit-seeking tactics highlights two fundamentally different governance philosophies.
| Aspect | YSRCP Administration (2019–2024) | Coalition Rule (2024–Present) |
|---|---|---|
| Land Allocation | Sanctioned 3 acres of prime land free of cost via G.O. 103 & 134. | Local TDP leaders previously protested the allocation, attempting to stall the sports project. |
| Administrative Intent | Empowered international athletes to build state sports infrastructure. | Attempted to re-label ongoing projects as new coalition achievements. |
| Execution Approach | Swift official clearances and immediate support for baseline construction. | Publicized secondary groundbreaking ceremonies after physical work had already commenced. |
| Use of Public Resources | Allocated state land assets directly to non-commercial sporting trusts. | Deployed official machinery for publicity campaigns over established projects. |
Political Inconsistency Surrounding the Allotment
During the YSRCP administration’s tenure, local TDP leaders actively opposed giving this prime land parcel in Arilova/Chinagadili to P.V. Sindhu, demanding instead that the government divert the land for other purposes. Once Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy firmly stood by the international athlete and completed the land handover, the project moved forward.
Attempting to repackage past achievements as fresh initiatives does not alter administrative records or official Government Orders. The sports community and the public recognize that the vision and land for Visakhapatnam’s badminton academy were established during Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure, rendering secondary ceremonies an unnecessary exercise in political credit-seeking.
