Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP President, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, criticized the development of Amaravati, calling it the ‘capital of corruption.’ He accused Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu of implementing impractical policies to benefit himself and his associates. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed concerns over the massive costs and alleged corruption involved in the construction of Amaravati.
On the day the Lok Sabha approved a Bill recognizing Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh, Jagan Mohan Reddy held a press conference to condemn Chandrababu Naidu. He questioned the source of the funds for the Rs 2 lakh crore state capital project and the timeline for its completion. Jagan Mohan Reddy highlighted discrepancies in Chandrababu Naidu’s claims of a self-financed model for the capital city, pointing to loans, budget allocations, and alleged corruption in various processes.
Defending the YSRCP government’s three capitals plan, Jagan Mohan Reddy explained that it aimed to reduce costs and ensure balanced development without burdening the public. He proposed Visakhapatnam as the executive capital due to existing infrastructure, Amaravati as the legislative capital, and Kurnool as the legal capital for regional balance. Jagan Mohan Reddy emphasized that the YSRCP’s opposition was against corruption in the capital project and the neglect of other regions in the state.
Jagan Mohan Reddy disclosed that the YSRCP had suggested an alternative plan to develop the Machilipatnam-Vijayawada-Guntur corridor as the capital region, which was not considered. He criticized Chandrababu Naidu for alleged corrupt practices and extravagant spending on the Amaravati project, which he claimed was pushing the state into a debt trap. Jagan Mohan Reddy pledged to expose financial irregularities and scams in the state.
Highlighting discrepancies in the construction costs of Amaravati, Jagan Mohan Reddy revealed that contractors were being paid over Rs 14,000 per square foot, significantly higher than standard rates for quality construction. He criticized the excessive spending on infrastructure projects like flyovers, contrasting it with more cost-effective approaches. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed concerns that the focus on Amaravati was overshadowing essential welfare schemes in education, health, and agriculture, impacting all segments of society.
