As the ‘Chalo Amaravati’ tour conducted by former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu came to an end on Thursday, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President blamed the ruling YSRCP government for ‘killing’ the capital, which was his brainchild.
“The capital project was created with our intellect, my intellect. We increased the valuation, arranged for investments from Singapore etc. But this government is now killing Amaravati. But it is not a personal matter concerning just me. It concerns the future of 6 crore people of Andhra Pradesh and the future of our children,” Naidu said.
Naidu’s visit was strongly opposed by the YSRCP, who said that the TDP chief Naidu no moral right to visit Amaravati as he could complete only five percent of the works in five years. The YSRCP also alleged that many irregularities were committed in the works and also accused Naidu of resorting to insider trading.
Responding to the YSRCP’s statements that only five percent works in the capital had been completed in the TDP’s term, Naidu said that a considerable amount of work had actually been completed, claiming that in some cases, nearly 90 percent construction was done, with furniture and other amenities also provided.
Naidu visited different projects like the MLA and IAS officers’ quarters, the NGO quarters, judges’ quarters etc.
"The High Court and Secretariat are here. They have called this a graveyard. Are all these ministers and their CM doing their duties from a graveyard? Is the HC serving justice from a graveyard? Legislation is being made from a graveyard?” he asked.
Refuting the YSRCP’s allegations of irregularities and insider trading in the capital project, Naidu claimed that Amaravati was meant to be a cosmopolitan city for all religions and communities, and it’s not true that only one particular social group had benefited from it.
“We had brought in investment from Singapore, a respectable country known for minimal corruption. But this start-up area project was cancelled because of this government,” Naidu said, adding that CM Jagan was more corrupt than all the politicians of independent India put together.
Insisting that the capital also needs to be developed in order to create wealth for even funding the government’s welfare programs, Naidu said, “Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath has said that we cannot afford to build a ‘London’-like capital with lakhs of crores of money just because the previous government promised, as there are no funds. But Amaravati is a self-financing project, we don’t need your money,” Naidu said.
During his visit, protesting groups pelted stones on the bus in which Naidu was travelling with other party leaders. A slipper was also seen hurled at the bus. The TDP leaders alleged that the ruling party workers were the ones who pelted the stones. However YSRCP leaders denied the allegations, pointing out that a section of farmers were opposing Naidu's visit over compensation due for land acquired from them.
“YSRCP rowdies were sent to throw stones and footwear on us. The DySP said permission was given to them and they had a right to register protest, and that there was no law and order problem. If this is how they treat former and present leaders, how will they treat the public?” Naidu asked.