Locals oppose NTR statue on Godavari's bed at Rajahmundry

Rajahmundry, Jan 27: A fresh row is being kicked up over Telugu Desam Party's decision to erect the statue of the party’s founder late NT Rama Rao on Godavari river's bed on the eve of the Godavari Pushkarams here. Those locals who are opposing TDP's move are of the view that NTR was in no way connected either to the city or to the region. In fact, they are suggesting that the Andhra Pradesh government should erect the statue of a personality linked with the city. They suggest that a statue of Rajaraja Narendra, the Chalukya king of Vengi, would be apt for the occasion. Rajaraja Narendra was the one who established Rajamahendravaram. Alternatively, the locals feel the statues of social reformer Kandukuri Veresalingam Panthulu, poet Adikavi Nannaya, the Godavari deity, Lord Shiva and others would be appropriate.