*MAVIGUN shatters Amaravati myth: YSRCP*

Tadepalli, April 9: YSRCP Tenali Constituency In-charge Annabathuni Shiva Kumar strongly criticized Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, stating that the “MAVIGUN” proposal has exposed the hollow “graphics-driven” Amaravati model and triggered widespread public debate across the state. Addressing the media at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, he said that for the past 12 years, Chandrababu has deceived both the people of Andhra Pradesh and the farmers who parted with their lands in the name of building a world-class capital. He noted that the overwhelming response to Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s MAVIGUN proposal, linking Machilipatnam, Vijayawada, and Guntur, has unsettled the ruling coalition, as people increasingly recognize it as a practical, low-cost, high-benefit alternative.
Shiva Kumar pointed out that while Chandrababu speaks of a capital requiring Rs. 2 lakh crore, MAVIGUN can be developed with just 10% of that cost, emerging as a powerful growth engine by leveraging existing urban infrastructure and a population base of nearly 45 lakh. He said this idea has resonated strongly among intellectuals, common citizens, and women alike, which has created discomfort within the ruling coalition. Unable to counter this growing acceptance, the government is resorting to diversionary tactics, using friendly media to carry out character assassination of YSRCP leaders and their families, including derogatory writings targeting women, to derail the real discussion on development models.
He further criticized the coalition government for its failure on governance and welfare, stating that in just two years, it has accumulated debts of Rs. 3.50 lakh crore while abandoning key promises such as unemployment allowance, free gas cylinders, financial assistance to women, and pensions. Despite this massive borrowing, he said there is no visible progress in Amaravati, with no world-class infrastructure on the ground, only continued reliance on “graphics and publicity.” He highlighted that even the initially acquired 50,000 acres require nearly Rs. 1 lakh crore just for basic infrastructure, and the proposal to expand to another 50,000 acres would push the total cost to Rs. 2 lakh crore, placing an unbearable burden on the state and potentially taking decades, up to 40 years, to complete.
Shiva Kumar asserted that Amaravati has become a tool for financial exploitation rather than development, while welfare and public interest have been completely sidelined. He accused Chandrababu of exploiting emotional sentiment around the capital to mislead people, even as the state is pushed into a debt trap. In contrast, he emphasized that MAVIGUN represents a realistic and implementable model that can deliver rapid and inclusive growth without imposing massive financial burdens. He warned that attempts to suppress this debate through diversion politics will not succeed, as people are closely observing the government’s failures and will hold it accountable.
Calling for a serious and honest discussion on the MAVIGUN proposal, he urged the government to prioritize the state’s long-term interests over political narratives and speculative projects. He concluded that MAVIGUN is not just the YSRCP’s vision but is fast emerging as the people’s choice for sustainable and balanced development in Andhra Pradesh.