YS Sharmila Supports Legislative Status for Amaravati Amid Financial Concerns
YS Sharmila Reddy, president of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee, has backed a legislative proposal to affirm Amaravati's status as the state capital. However, she has voiced significant concerns regarding the lack of financial commitments from the central government and the responsibilities outlined in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act. Sharmila's remarks come in the wake of criticism from the opposition, which has labeled the proposal a political maneuver. She emphasizes the need for accountability and questions whether the financial burden of Amaravati's construction should fall on the citizens. Her statements highlight the ongoing political discourse surrounding the capital's development.
| Mar 28, 2026, 20:14 IST
YS Sharmila's Support for Amaravati's Legislative Status
YS Sharmila Reddy, the president of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee, has expressed her support for the legislative proposal that grants Amaravati the status of the state capital. However, she raised concerns regarding the lack of clear financial commitments and the responsibilities of the central government under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act. In a detailed post on X dated March 28, 2026, Sharmila welcomed the proposal affirming Amaravati's legal status and deemed the request for an amendment to Section 5 as a reasonable step. She questioned the absence of urgency in securing funds under Section 94(3), which mandates the central government to provide financial assistance for the capital's development.
Targeting Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Sharmila questioned whether merely adding words to Section 5 (subsection 2) regarding Amaravati suffices without demanding financial commitments. She inquired if the enthusiasm surrounding the proposal extends to requesting funds for Amaravati under Section 94(3). Can Amaravati truly be realized through just a gazette notification? Furthermore, she raised concerns about whether the state government has held the central government adequately accountable, emphasizing that the responsibility for constructing the new capital lies with the central government. She referenced provisions that require the central government to allocate necessary funds.
Criticizing symbolic gestures, Sharmila questioned if citizens should be satisfied with a pot of water and a basket of soil formally presented by Prime Minister Modi. Absolutely not, she asserted. Warning against imposing the estimated cost of ₹1 lakh crore for Amaravati's construction on the citizens, she asked if the entire burden would be placed on the public. She called on the coalition government to clarify its stance in the assembly.
Her remarks came amid criticism from the opposition Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party, which labeled the proposal as a political stunt. Party leader Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy accused the government of attempting to divert public attention and questioned the necessity of such a proposal.