AMARAVATI: When the government is removing statues for the development of roads for the smooth performance of Krishna Pushkaralu, the Telugu Desam leaders installed the statue of NTR in the middle of the Amaravati-Vijayawada road at old Amaravati. The YSR Congress leaders objected to the statue installation without any permission and demanded its removal.

YSRC leaders Sk. Hashmi, M. Lakshman, Sambsiva Rao and others alleged that the officials had removed statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Potti Sriramulu which were installed besides the road but allowed to install NTR statute in the middle of the main road by digging the recently constructed the road. They mentioned this is the main road to go to the ancient Amareswara temple, 125 feet tall Dhyana Buddha statue, Kalachakra museum, eight temples complex and Krishna river ghats for holy dip during Krishna Pushkaralu.

They lamented the NTR statue would create traffic hurdles during Pushkaralu but the TD leaders heedlessly erected the statue to popularise the TD during Pushkaralu. Alleging the demolition of temples, churches and mosques overnight for Pushkaralu development works, they ridiculed that the scene is reverse at heritage centre Amaravati where the government is allowing digging of the roads and installing of NTR statue. The leaders said the Road and Buildings Department did not issue any permission for NTR statue, but the TD leaders overnight erected the statue. The YSRC lodged a complaint with Amaravati police over the illegal installation.