The statement made by YSR Congress party state coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy at a media conclave at Mangalagiri in Guntur district on Friday that party president and former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has dumped the three capitals plan and will rule from Amaravati, if voted to power again in 2029, has created ripples within the party.
The statement from Sajjala came a time when the party leadership is maintaining a stoic silence on the capital issue and highlighting the fault zones in Amaravati and its flood-prone areas.
Apparently, Jagan Mohan Reddy was terribly upset with Sajjala’s comments at the media conclave over the three capitals issue, even as former minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy was silently watching him with a blank face, without understanding how to react.
According to highly placed sources, Jagan called Sajjala and took him to task for making unnecessary comments on Amaravati issue.
“Have we ever discussed the issue in our party meetings? Did I ever tell anyone that I have dumped the three capitals and rule only from Amaravati?” the party chief reportedly asked Sajjala.
What has angered Jagan was Sajjala’s categorical statement that Amaravati will remain the administrative capital even if the YSRCP comes to power and focus on development of a mega capital city between Guntur and Vijayawada, including Machilipatnam.
“It is a policy decision that should be taken by the party after a thorough discussion. If you make such an announcement in public, what I am for? Take over the party reins and run it. I will step down,” Jagan reportedly told Sajjala, in a tone of frustration and anger.
Jagan has reportedly felt that Sajjala’s comments has given the impression that the YSRCP has taken a U-turn on the capital issue and that led to heavy trolling from the Telugu Desam Party, Jana Sena and the BJP leaders.
Apparently, the YSRCP chief’s strategy was to remain silent on Amaravati capital issue, as there is no point in talking about three capitals at this stage.
His focus seems to be on highlighting the corruption in Amaravati construction, plight of farmers due to additional land acquisition and indiscriminate allotment of lands to various companies.
So, there is no wonder Sajjala’s comments have definitely irked Jagan, who will now have to face these questions from the media in his next press conference.