Amaravati, January 21, 2026: The Andhra Pradesh government has dismissed reports of finalised funding plans for a grand statue honouring former Chief Minister NT Rama Rao at Neerukonda in the capital region.
Officials stress that no decision has been taken on pooling contributions, with the project still under consideration as a Public-Private Partnership initiative.
The statue aims to celebrate 'Telugu Pride,' drawing parallels to iconic landmarks like the Statue of Unity, and includes a memorial park and museum to draw tourists and highlight cultural heritage.
Critics, including opposition voices, have raised concerns over potential public expenditure amid other priorities like education and health. The government counters by accusing rivals of spreading misinformation on social media to incite divisions.
