VIZIANAGARAM: TDP senior leader and former Union Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Wednesday, created ruckus atop the Bodikonda Hill at Ramatheertham in Vizianagaram district right after the Andhra Pradesh government officials laid the foundation stone for the construction works of the Rama temple.

According to the reports, Ashok Gajapathi Raju went on a rampage and tried to forcibly remove the ‘silaphalakam’ or the plaque which had the names of the AP Endowments Minister Vellampalli Srinivas and other Government officials engraved on it.

He got into an altercation with the officials there, stating that the State government should not construct the temple and as the hereditary heir, he should be involved in the construction of the temple. The senior TDP leader also objected to the name of the endowments minister on the plaque and tried to remove it, much to the shock of the officials. Ashok Gajapthi Raju said that how could the Government rebuild a temple which was vandalised by miscreants.

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Earlier in the day, the foundation stone was laid on Wednesday for the reconstruction of Sri Kodanda Ramalayam to be built at a cost of Rs 3 crore on the holy shrine Ramateertham on the Neelachalam Bodikonda hillock. The event was attended by Vellampalli Srinivasa, Deputy Chief Minister Pamula Pushpasrivani along with district MLAs, MLCs, and temple officials.

Arrangements were made for the construction of the temple where a winch motor was installed to lift the rocks atop the hill across a track. Along with the mandapam, a flagpole, a temple wall, and a kitchen will be constructed.

Beautification of the water pool and modernised stairway were also being constructed. Engineering officials from the endowments department have drawn up plans to complete the construction within six months after the foundation stone is laid.

At present prayers are being offered to Lord Kodanda Rama in the Balalayam set up in the main temple below. The idols will be re-installed in the new temple as soon as the construction on the hill is completed.

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