01-07-2025
CPI strongly opposes handing over Horsley Hills to Ramdev Baba
The Communist Party of India (CPI) National Secretary Dr. Narayana has strongly objected to the Andhra Pradesh government's alleged decision to hand over the iconic Horsley Hills in Madanapalle to Ramdev Baba and his Patanjali group.
In a letter to the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday, Dr.. Narayana expressed serious objection, calling Patanjali a symbol of unethical corporate interests. 'Ramdev Baba is a corporate swami in disguise. Handing over a natural treasure like Horsley Hills to someone like him under the pretext of tourism and yoga development is unacceptable,' he said.
Dr. Narayana said: 'It would have been more appropriate to entrust such a culturally rich site to the Jiddu Krishnamurti Foundation, which has long-standing philosophical roots in the region. Ramdev Baba should not be allowed entry into Andhra Pradesh,' he added, accusing the yoga guru of pursuing profit under the garb of spirituality.
Meanwhile, CPI Andhra Pradesh State Secretary K. Ramakrishna criticised Mr. Naidu for pushing the Polavaram–Banakacharla project without completing the long-pending irrigation projects like the Velugonda tunnel. He said: 'The central government has already rejected the Banakacharla proposals, yet the state is going ahead with it unilaterally. This exposes the CM's questionable priorities.'
Mr. Ramakrishna demanded clarity and transparency from the state government regarding the project and warned against sacrificing public interest for corporate or contractor gains.
He reiterated that the CPI stands firmly against both the commercialisation of natural resources like Horsley Hills and the politicised handling of irrigation projects at the cost of people's welfare.
