This Article is From Oct 09, 2015

Andhra Pradesh's New Capital to Get a New Deity

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's supporters propose to build a temple, with Mr Naidu as the deity, in Guntur's Thullur mandal.

Amravati (Andhra Pradesh): Chandrababu Naidu's supporters in Guntur district are competing to demonstrate their gratitude to the chief minister for deciding to locate Andhra Pradesh's new capital Amravati there.

At least one group proposes to build a temple, with Mr Naidu as the deity, in Guntur's Thullur mandal, where the new capital will be built.

Others have ordered bronze and stone busts; a workshop in West Godavari that is famous for making statues of political icons reports brisk business in Naidu likenesses in metal and stone.

"Chandrababu Naidu brought the capital to this region, by the river Krishna. Farmers here are very happy because land rates have gone up. We wanted to do something to express gratitude, so decided to build temple,'' said Srinivas Rao from Harishchandrapuram, who is a farmer and also a worker of Mr Naidu's Telugu Desam Party or TDP.  

Another man, Subba Rao from Udandaranipalem, said land that cost 50 lakh rupees is now valued at 2.5 core in the area. "We pray Chandrababu Naidu should stay on another term and longer also as chief minister to complete all unfinished tasks. There is no one else quite like him. That is why the temple,'' he said.

Chandrababu Naidu has not so far reacted to the extravagant hero worship, but his close associate K. Rammohan said this was the way people want to express their admiration for their leader. "We can't stop people from showering their affection,'' he said.

Mr Naidu has planned a grand ceremony to lay the foundation stone of the new capital on Dussehra, October 22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend.

Mr Naidu's counterpart in neigbhouring Telangana, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, already has a temple built for him in Hyderabad, the capital that they currently share.

Karimnagar, in Telangana, has temple to Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
 
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