*Amaravati is a Debt trap, MAVIGUN is the future growth engine*

Tadepalli, June 04: YSRCP State Coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy launched a scathing attack on Chandrababu Naidu who is insulting all three regions of Andhra Pradesh by treating them like “playing cards” and forcing them to celebrate an impractical Amaravati project that would burden the state with Rs. 2 lakh crore in debt. He said people have already rejected these celebrations, with even officials and employees ignoring government directions, reflecting widespread discontent.
Sajjala said Chandrababu himself once admitted that the Centre merely offered symbolic support, yet he went on to give Amaravati a caste colour, recalling how it was called “Kammaravati” in Parliament without any condemnation from TDP, while Lokesh instead appreciated those remarks. He asserted that YSRCP is only questioning corruption in Amaravati, but the ruling leadership is resorting to diversion and personal attacks instead of addressing facts, despite YS Jagan Mohan Reddy advising a practical and grounded approach.
He criticised Chandrababu’s lack of understanding of parliamentary systems, governance, and economics, questioning how he functioned as Chief Minister. Reiterating YS Jagan’s vision, Sajjala said the capital was originally proposed on 30,000 acres of government land to ensure accessibility and avoid burdening the state, unlike the current model. He pointed out that YS Jagan had built his house and office in Amaravati before 2019, while Chandrababu still does not have a permanent residence there, and recalled that large-scale corruption during Chandrababu’s tenure was exposed later.
Accusing Chandrababu of institutionalising corruption, Sajjala said inflated estimates, arbitrary rates, and manipulated contracts are being used to siphon public money, comparing it to “pumping public wealth like water.” He said Amaravati was chosen not for governance but for facilitating contracts and commissions, with Chandrababu aiming to profit from every project.
He termed it shameful that Chandrababu boasts about Amaravati bonds, pointing out that loans were raised at 10.3 percent interest when 8 percent loans were available, burdening the people. He noted that even Amaravati residents will bear this debt. He said Chandrababu himself has indicated that the capital may not be ready until 2043, exposing a strategy to prolong construction and continuously drain public funds while selling illusions.
Sajjala questioned the economic logic of borrowing heavily while granting GST exemptions and concessions, asking how spending one rupee can generate even ten paise in return when even that is given away as incentives. He remarked that Chandrababu’s “economics” is incomprehensible, especially when the outcome is just a handful of buildings. He also questioned why land is not being given at nominal rates like elsewhere and when the government plans to monetise land, calling Chandrababu’s comparisons with Hyderabad misleading.
Citing Naya Raipur, he said even after 20 years it remains underdeveloped, with people still commuting from Raipur, yet Chhattisgarh borrowed only Rs. 1,500 crore, repaid it, and spent just Rs. 7,000 crore while generating Rs. 18,000 crore through mining, unlike Andhra Pradesh being pushed into massive debt. He noted that even the High Court in Chhattisgarh was set up in Bilaspur, highlighting practical decentralisation.
He criticised Chandrababu for rejecting the Sivaramakrishnan Committee’s expert recommendations and misrepresenting decentralisation as division, while YS Jagan’s decentralisation model was based on detailed study and aimed at balanced development. He asked what Chandrababu has done for Amaravati farmers, noting that despite Rs. 3,800 crore being paid as annuities and pensions, farmers’ core issues remain unresolved and they continue to suffer.
Sajjala said Chandrababu has created a new model of corruption and turned the state into a financial burden, while opposing the practical MAVIGUN proposal, Machilipatnam–Vijayawada–Guntur (MAVIGUN), which offers an existing economic corridor supported by infrastructure like the Machilipatnam port. He questioned why Chandrababu is afraid of this proposal, clarifying that it was suggested multiple times after elections and has wide support from party leaders, experts, and the public as it does not impose debt.
He further said that Chandrababu is deliberately obstructing regional growth by blocking projects like the Western and Eastern bypasses, fearing that real development would expose corruption. He said under the previous government, these cities saw significant development and can naturally evolve into a growth engine.
Highlighting the scale of corruption, Sajjala said construction costs, building sizes, and contracts in Amaravati are alarming, questioning when these projects will be completed and warning that maintenance itself will become another burden. He pointed out that thousands of crores are being spent wastefully, including Rs. 3,000 crore just to pump out water, while farmers are unable to even conduct marriages for their children.
Chandrababu is treating Amaravati as a personal revenue source, imposing a burden of nearly Rs. 2 lakh per citizen and then asking people to celebrate it, which is unprecedented exploitation. Sajjala said even describing such actions requires stronger words than “psycho.”
Sajjala asserted that YSRCP is not against Amaravati but firmly against corruption and deception, stating that supporting such loot would be anti-people. He expressed pride in YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s leadership, highlighting his focus on welfare, education, healthcare, and agriculture, and questioned why Chandrababu failed to deliver similar results.
Rejecting claims that YSRCP leaders oppose MAVIGUN, he termed it false propaganda, stating that leaders and people from Machilipatnam, Vijayawada, and Guntur strongly support the proposal as it ensures development without burdening the state. He said the debate should focus not on names but on whether policies benefit people, adding that every region and city in the state is equally important and deserves development without exploitation.