Don’t invite me to Amaravati event

CM doing a real estate biz by allotting people’s lands to Singapore cos

Hyderabad: YSR Congress president YS Jaganmohan Reddy has asked Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu not to invite him to the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new state capital.

In an open letter to the Chief Minister, the leader of Opposition alleged that the Telugu Desam Party-led government forcibly acquired fertile land from farmers and is building the State capital on tears of the farming community.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be laying the foundation stone for Amaravati on October 22 in Guntur district and the government is making elaborate arrangements. It has invited the prime ministers of Singapore and Japan and also several Central ministers and chief ministers of various states including neighbouring Telangana.

Jagan, as the leader is popularly known, wondered why prohibitory orders were in force in the capital region for more than a year when the government claims that people are happy over development of the capital.Stating that the government has ignored the orders of Green Tribunal,

the YSRCP chief said he would not be attending the function as people's sentiments were not respected. He also alleged that in the name of developing a State capital,

the Chief Minister was doing a real estate business by allotting poor people's lands to companies from Singapore. Jagan, who had taken up farmers' issues through hunger strike and other protests, clarified that he is not against the capital.

"You are not laying foundation stone for the people's capital but for your real estate business, for amassing lakhs of crores and to send this money abroad through foreign companies," he claimed.Reacting to the allegations made by Jagan, the AP Finance Minister Y Ramakrishnudu said that there was no basis for Jagan’s allegations.

He said every rupee that is being spent is accounted for. He said so far the government has released only Rs 9 crore for the event. He said the government had chosen to make it a gala affair since it is a historic moment for the people of the State.

AP requires investments both from abroad and from various parts of the country. It is an occasion to show case the State to the world. That is why they had invited Ambassadors of all countries, leaders of various political parties across the country, the Prime Minister and the Union ministers.

Asked about the comments by former Congress leader Vundavalli Arun Kumar, the minister said, “Yes certainly it is an event. It is wrong on the part of some of the opposition leaders whether it be Jagan or Vundavalli to criticise the government. It amounts to insulting the people.”

AP needs a capital and we are in the process of unveiling the capital city. Certainly it is a great event. If they don’t want to be part of the celebrations it is their individual decision. We want all to be part of the process of capital building, he added.