Jagan Mohan Reddy Reiterates YSRCP's Stance on Amaravati, Demands Mavigun Corridor

YSRCP President Jagan Mohan Reddy Clarifies Party Position on Amaravati Capital Issue

In a significant political statement from Vijayawada, former chief minister and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has once again articulated his party's nuanced stance regarding the contentious Amaravati capital project. On Wednesday, Reddy emphatically reiterated that the YSRCP is not fundamentally opposed to Amaravati as a concept but has consistently advocated for balanced regional development across Andhra Pradesh.

Opposition to "Financially Unviable and Corruption-Driven Expansion"

Jagan Mohan Reddy clarified that his party's resistance is specifically directed against what he termed the "financially unviable and corruption-driven expansion" of Amaravati in its current form. He presented a detailed critique of the project's economics and governance, arguing that the present approach is unsustainable for the state's fiscal health.

The YSRCP leader made a concrete alternative proposal, demanding that the government officially declare the Machilipatnam–Vijayawada–Guntur corridor (commonly referred to as the Mavigun corridor) as the capital city corridor. He positioned this as a more sustainable growth engine that would benefit multiple regions rather than concentrating resources in a single area.

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Historical Context and Allegations of Misleading Narratives

Reddy contextualized his party's earlier 'three capitals' proposal, explaining it was designed to achieve genuine decentralization while reducing the substantial financial burden on the state. He directly accused Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of misleading the public by using Amaravati as a pretext for large-scale borrowing while allegedly engaging in corrupt practices.

The YSRCP president questioned the necessity of the recent assembly resolution concerning Amaravati, pointing out that the Union government has already clarified that decisions regarding state capitals fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of respective state governments. He suggested such resolutions serve primarily to divert public attention from pressing governance issues and alleged irregularities.

Financial Concerns and Project Feasibility Analysis

Jagan Mohan Reddy presented detailed financial analysis to support his critique:

• Developing basic infrastructure across the proposed one lakh acres in Amaravati would require approximately ₹2 lakh crore according to government estimates
• Only about ₹8,000 crore has been expended thus far, raising serious questions about project feasibility and completion timelines
• He highlighted that even the first phase covering 50,000 acres remains incomplete, questioning the rationale for further expansion

The opposition leader made specific allegations regarding financial irregularities:

1. Construction costs per square foot in Amaravati are significantly higher than comparable rates in Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru
2. This disparity persists despite various concessions granted to contractors
3. He alleged inflated project costs and irregularities in the contract awarding process

Impact on Welfare and Development Programs

Reddy argued that excessive borrowing for the Amaravati project has created a detrimental ripple effect across the state's welfare and development initiatives. He cited multiple indicators of financial strain:

• Stalled construction and renovation works in schools and hospitals
• Pending dues to government employees
• Inadequate support mechanisms for farmers

"We are not against Amaravati or any other region," Reddy emphasized. "We are only opposing rampant corruption in the name of Amaravati, how other regions are being neglected, and how welfare and development are grinding to a halt with the single-minded focus on Amaravati."

Contradictions in Funding and Future Accountability

The YSRCP president highlighted what he described as contradictions in the project's financing. He questioned why substantial loans were acquired and budget allocations made for Amaravati when Chief Minister Naidu had previously boasted that the capital city represented a self-financed model requiring minimal government expenditure.

Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that Amaravati's development primarily benefits select interests rather than serving broader public welfare. He warned that "irregularities" would eventually come to light through proper investigation and transparency measures.

In a significant political commitment, Reddy declared that if the YSRCP returns to power, his administration would order a comprehensive probe into the Amaravati project and take appropriate legal action against anyone found guilty of corruption or financial misconduct.

The statement represents a continuation of the ongoing political debate surrounding Andhra Pradesh's capital development, with the YSRCP positioning itself as advocating for fiscal responsibility, balanced regional growth, and anti-corruption measures rather than outright opposition to Amaravati as a concept.