Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, the State Coordinator for the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), has accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu of misleading the public with deceptive claims regarding Amaravati. During a press conference on Saturday, he referred to Naidu’s statements as “pearls of lies,” asserting that they are based on unfounded narratives that have led to artificial celebrations among the populace.

Reddy emphasised that there is no substantial achievement to warrant such celebrations and questioned the rationale behind the embellished claims being promoted by Naidu’s government. He pointed out that the recent passage of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Rajya Sabha on April 2, which aims to establish Amaravati as the sole and permanent capital of the state, has contributed to these inflated expectations.

He further noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier contributions, which Naidu had previously denigrated as merely “soil and water,” are now being celebrated as highly significant. This shift in attitude has raised questions regarding the consistency and integrity of the Chief Minister’s statements.

Concerns Over Caste and Financial Burdens

Sajjala Reddy also expressed concerns about the incorporation of caste-based narratives into the Amaravati capital issue by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). He highlighted that the YSRCP had never used the term “Kammaravati” and questioned the failure of TDP leaders to condemn remarks made by their colleague Renuka Chowdhury, who allegedly hinted at divisive sentiments.

Reddy accused Naidu of transforming Amaravati into a financial burden on the state, claiming that the emphasis on this new capital has resulted in a significant financial strain on the citizens of Andhra Pradesh. He described the selection of Amaravati as an impractical choice, comparing it to a scene from the film “Mayabazaar” and noted that this decision has led to the destruction of fertile agricultural lands.

He further alleged that public funds have been mismanaged under the guise of developing Amaravati, even likening it to indiscriminate resource extraction. Reddy recalled how former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy’s suggestions for more practical alternatives had been ridiculed, arguing that Jagan’s intention was to prevent the population from incurring excessive costs.

Call for Practical Solutions and Transparency

Reddy demanded clarity from Naidu’s government regarding the ongoing Vijayawada-Guntur-Machilipatnam proposal for the capital development and questioned why Jagan’s “Plan-B” proposal is facing opposition. He suggested that promoting Machilipatnam Port could serve as a significant growth catalyst for the region.

Addressing the financial health of the state, Sajjala Reddy raised concerns about Andhra Pradesh’s existing debt levels, urging the government to refrain from further accumulating loans in the pursuit of capital development. He cautioned that pushing the state deeper into debt would only exacerbate the financial burdens faced by its citizens.

In conclusion, Reddy called for an immediate cessation of extensive construction activities in Amaravati financed by loans and encouraged the government to adopt more pragmatic approaches that could save the state up to Rs 1 lakh crore. He insisted that a transparent discussion surrounding the capital’s future was essential for the economic wellbeing of Andhra Pradesh.

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