The recent test flight at the upcoming Alluri Sitharama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram has not just marked a technical milestone but has also ignited a fierce political battle in Andhra Pradesh. The greenfield airport, scheduled for completion in June 2026, has become a flashpoint between the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the opposition Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP). Both parties are now locked in a bitter war of words, each claiming sole credit for the project that has seen development across their respective tenures.
A Decade in the Making: A Project Spanning Regimes
The journey of the Bhogapuram airport, located in the Vizianagaram district, underscores the long and complex nature of major infrastructure projects. Its development has spanned nearly a decade, witnessing the reigns of the TDP, the YSRCP, and now the TDP again. This cross-administration timeline is at the heart of the current controversy, with each party presenting its own narrative of contribution and obstruction.
The War of Words: Conflicting Claims and Accusations
The political skirmish escalated following the test flight. The TDP has launched a sharp attack on former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. State IT Minister Nara Lokesh asserted that the credit for initially blocking the airport "belongs to Jagan alone," accusing him of opposing the project, joining protests, and attempting to stall it through court cases.
In response, YSRCP leaders have mounted a strong defence. Former minister Gudivada Amarnath, the party's Anakapalli district president, countered that the TDP is falsely claiming credit. He detailed that while the TDP laid the foundation stone before the 2019 elections, the actual enabling work happened under the YSRCP. A total of 2,203 acres of land were handed over, all statutory approvals were secured, and an uninterrupted construction phase began from May 2023. He emphasized that a rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) package worth nearly Rs 960 crore was implemented, building colonies for displaced villagers from four locations at a cost of about Rs 400–500 crore.
Former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy, in a social media post, stated that timely approvals, expedited permissions, and comprehensive land acquisition during his tenure provided the "strong foundation" for the project's progress.
Historical Perspectives and the Road Ahead
Adding another layer to the dispute, former minister and Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivas Rao defended the TDP's foundational role. He claimed that the project was initiated by then Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who announced it in February 2015. Land acquisition began in April 2015, and key approvals from the Airport Authority and the feasibility report were obtained the same year, according to Rao.
As the airport moves towards its June 2026 completion date, the political tussle over its legacy is likely to intensify. The project stands as a significant infrastructure boost for north coastal Andhra Pradesh, but its story is now equally defined by the competing narratives of two major political forces, each vying for a place in the region's developmental history.
