YSR Congress party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday strongly opposed the construction of state capital in the present location in Amaravati, describing the move as “insane.”
Speaking to reporters at the party office at Tadepalli, Jagan said the Constitution of India did not define the term “capital. “Wherever the chief minister sits and Constitutional institutions operate, it becomes the capital,” he said.
“Constructing the capital in the river basin is against norms. If buildings are raised in the river basin, how can they withstand floods?” he questioned, adding that the Supreme Court should also take note of the issue.
Responding sharply to Jagan’s remarks, state municipal administration and urban development minister P Narayana accused Jagan of once again trying to sabotage the capital construction. “No matter how many attempts he makes, the construction of Amaravati as the capital will not be stopped,” he said.
He clarified that no construction is being carried out in the river bed or river basin areas and accused Jagan of encouraging litigation to stall development. He also said that farmers are voluntarily coming forward to give land in the second phase of land pooling.