Sharmila Slams Modi and Chandrababu on Capital City Delays
YS Sharmila, President of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu regarding the funding for the construction of the state’s capital, Amaravati. She alleged that although the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act clearly assigns the responsibility of building the new capital to the Central Government, Narendra Modi had failed to fulfill his promises.
“Looking at Modi’s behaviour, one cannot help but say he’s like a spent firecracker,” said YS Sharmila. She pointed out that Section 94(3) of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act explicitly places the onus of providing basic infrastructure for the new capital on the Central Government. “If the Act so clearly defines the Centre’s duties, what exactly is Modi offering us?” she questioned.
YS Sharmila recalled that in 2015, soil was ceremonially laid for the capital’s construction, but ten years later, nothing substantial had materialized. “Back then, they betrayed the people of Andhra with false promises, and now they are repeating the same lies, wrapped in polished language. They speak again of development and cooperation, but these are hollow words,” she stated.
She alleged that despite claims of supporting Amaravati since 2015, not a single rupee had been formally announced by the Central Government for the project. “If everything was given to us, why hasn’t the capital been built yet?” she asked. She demanded to know whether any financial declaration was made for the estimated ₹1 lakh crore required for Amaravati's construction, whether any firm assurances were issued, or even if any legislative validation had been offered for Amaravati.
YS Sharmila called upon Chandrababu Naidu to introspect, stating that he was repeatedly deceived by trusting Narendra Modi. “Once, you fell into the pit during the night; now, you've fallen into the same pit in broad daylight by inviting Modi again,” she alleged.
She posed pointed questions on behalf of the Congress Party, asking why loans were being sought instead of securing actual funds. She noted that the state is burdened with ₹10 lakh crore in debt and questioned how salaries could be paid without borrowing. “If that is the case, then whom are you approaching for a ₹60,000 crore loan for the capital’s construction? How will you bear the interest burden?” she asked.
YS Sharmila demanded an explanation from Chandrababu Naidu on why the state was being mortgaged to financial institutions like the World Bank, ADB, KFW, and HUDCO. She criticised the idea of selling government land, which she described as public property, to fund the capital. “Without the courage to pressure the Centre, why are you imposing debt burdens on future generations? The people of the state deserve answers,” she said.