In a sharp political confrontation, Andhra Pradesh's Municipal Administration Minister, Dr P Narayana, has launched a fierce counterattack against YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. The minister's rebuttal came in response to Jagan's recent comments questioning the development of Amaravati as the state's capital.
Minister Refutes Allegations, Accuses Jagan of False Propaganda
Dr Narayana categorically dismissed the opposition leader's claims, asserting that the construction of Amaravati as the capital city will continue unabated regardless of Jagan's efforts to halt it. He accused the YSRCP chief of speaking without a proper grasp of the project's details and of deliberately spreading misinformation.
"Jagan is engaging in false propaganda by alleging that constructions are happening in the riverbed. He is filing cases in courts to obstruct progress, but such actions will not succeed under any circumstances," the minister stated emphatically. Narayana stressed the necessity for political leaders to be fully informed before making public statements.
The Core of the Dispute: Riverbed vs. River Basin
Highlighting a key point of contention, Minister Narayana challenged Jagan to understand the Amaravati master plan thoroughly. He emphasized the critical difference between a 'riverbed' and a 'river basin', suggesting that Jagan's remarks stemmed from a lack of this fundamental knowledge.
"Speaking with half-knowledge is wrong. He must know the difference before responding. Misleading the public without knowing the facts is completely unacceptable," Narayana remarked, underscoring the need for responsible discourse on major infrastructure projects.
Farmers' Support and a Political Warning
Countering the narrative of public opposition, the minister pointed to strong grassroots support for the capital project. He revealed that farmers are voluntarily participating in the second phase of land pooling, with hundreds of acres being handed over to the government within hours.
"Unable to tolerate this progress, Jagan is resorting to lies out of sheer jealousy as Amaravati moves ahead," Narayana alleged. He issued a stark political warning to the YSRCP chief, suggesting that continuing down this path could have severe electoral repercussions. "If he continues misleading people with false statements, his party's current 11 seats will reduce to zero," the minister cautioned.
One Capital, Clear Deadlines
Reiterating the administrative rationale behind a single capital, Narayana explained that every state requires one central hub where ministers, secretaries, and officials reside to resolve public issues efficiently. He contrasted this with district headquarters, stating the capital's unique role as the primary administrative nerve center.
To bolster confidence in the project, the minister laid out clear timelines for key infrastructure:
- Trunk roads will be completed within the next one-and-a-half years.
- Layout roads are slated for finish in two-and-a-half years.
- Iconic government buildings will be ready in three years.
This assurance is seen as a direct effort to counter doubts and reaffirm the state government's commitment to building Amaravati as a world-class capital for Andhra Pradesh.
