YSRCP Slams Chandrababu Over Amaravati Debt, Calls for Reform

YSR Congress Party State coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, saying the Amaravati capital project is burdening the public with massive debt and lacks practical feasibility.

Speaking at the party headquarters in Tadepalli, Reddy accused Naidu of belittling various regions by comparing them to playing cards, while criticising the three-capital plan of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. He said the Chief Minister was pushing for celebrations around an unviable Amaravati, saddled with nearly ₹2 lakh crore in debt. “It is an attempt to showcase a project that has failed on multiple fronts,” Reddy said.

He added that the call for Amaravati celebrations was largely ignored, even by officials and employees, despite government directives. Alleging corruption, he pointed to inflated contracts, high land valuations, and excessive borrowing. Reddy also criticised the government for issuing Amaravati bonds at over 10% interest, questioning the economic logic. “Ultimately, the debt will be borne by the public,” he warned.

Defending the MaViGun plan for Machilipatnam-Vijayawada-Guntur, Reddy said it aims to create a self-sustaining growth engine without straining the state exchequer. “A capital should be accessible and financially sustainable, not just a cluster of buildings,” he said. “MaViGun ensures development reaches people and stimulates economic activity across the region rather than concentrating resources in one city.”

Reddy drew comparisons with Nava Raipur, the greenfield capital of Chhattisgarh, arguing that capitals should evolve with local economic activity rather than relying on heavy borrowing. He supported decentralisation, citing recommendations from expert panels, including the Sivaramakrishnan Committee.

He further alleged that Amaravati has become a revenue source for vested interests, with citizens shouldering liabilities of up to ₹2 lakh each. He demanded a transparent review of all projects linked to Amaravati and urged the government to adopt people-centric, financially sustainable development models. “It is time to rethink the approach and ensure the state’s growth benefits the public, not just a few,” he said.

Reddy also warned that ignoring the debt issue and pressing ahead with Amaravati celebrations could have political consequences for the ruling party, particularly in districts where public sentiment is already turning against the project.