– Chandrababu speaking differently to different people
– MAVIGUN becoming a widespread topic of discussion among the public… panic gripping the hearts of the yellow gang
– Fear that their corruption will be exposed
– Going to any lengths for diversion
– Chandrababu’s malicious remarks calling MAVIGUN “Vatican”
– Nara Lokesh’s tweet insulting the people of Machilipatnam, Vijayawada and Guntur by calling it “Maya, Destruction, Gun Culture”
– The same attitude from ministers and coalition party leaders
– ABN Radha Krishna’s vulgar comments on women
– Home Minister Anita shamelessly defending them despite being a woman herself
– Pattabhi’s obscene remarks… and immediately Sharmila’s entry… reading the yellow script and ridiculing
– Even Achchennaidu’s derogatory comments on YS Rajasekhar Reddy’s death
– Chandrababu orchestrating diversion politics in every possible way
– Public discussion that Amaravati is corruption… and MAVIGUN is a boon for the people of the state
The word “MAVIGUN”, which has created huge tremors across the state, is now sending shivers down the spines of the ruling coalition parties. The “yellow gang” that had planned massive looting in the name of Amaravati capital is finding MAVIGUN to be a bullet straight to their hearts. The proposal by former Chief Minister Jagan that a wonderful capital can be made available from day one for just 20% of the cost by developing Machilipatnam–Vijayawada–Guntur (MAVIGUN) is being welcomed by the people. Instead of wasting Rs. 2 lakh crore, a capital dream can be realised with just Rs. 20,000 crore through MAVIGUN, they are saying. As this discussion is gaining widespread traction among the people, Chief Minister Chandrababu has sharpened his diversion politics. He is making YS Jagan speak in whatever way he wants and is himself speaking out in hundreds of ways.
What is MAVIGUN?
MAVIGUN is the idea of taking the Machilipatnam–Vijayawada–Guntur areas as the development centre and completing capital construction quickly by utilising the existing infrastructure there. Former Chief Minister YS Jagan proposed this as Plan B. Instead of spending Rs. 2 lakh crore just for basic infrastructure in Amaravati, a wonderful capital can be made available from day one with just 20% of that amount — Rs. 20,000 crore — through MAVIGUN, he opined. There is no need to acquire vast new land, and the existing urban infrastructure of the cities can be utilised, he proposed. He made it clear that massive loans are not required and development is possible at low cost. He stated that instead of the lakhs of crores estimated for Amaravati, a governance centre can be established with low expenditure through the MAVIGUN model.
Corruption in Amaravati
Numerous corruption allegations are surfacing over the Amaravati capital project. Rs. 2 lakh crore expenditure, corruption in the name of mobilisation advances, spending Rs. 11,000 to Rs. 14,000 per square foot, Chandrababu and his benamis accumulating assets and increasing their value, massive spending in the name of temporary buildings, demanding another 50,000 acres after already pooling 50,000 acres, complete lack of transparency in Amaravati constructions, planning for real-estate profits, and spending huge amounts of public money — these are the many criticisms. There is a growing demand that instead of this corrupt Amaravati project that is becoming a mountain of debt on the state, the MAVIGUN model should be taken up. Ever since former Chief Minister Jagan made this proposal, wherever one looks in the state, the only topic of discussion is MAVIGUN.
Diversion Politics
As the MAVIGUN discussion gained momentum, controversial political comments also increased. The ruling coalition leaders, party heads, and yellow media, unable to tolerate the word “MAVIGUN”, have jointly scripted diversion politics. From Chief Minister Chandrababu and Minister Lokesh to yellow media, ABN Radha Krishna, social media handles favourable to TDP, Home Minister Anita, and several ministers — all are making arbitrary comments and cheap gestures against YS Jagan. In this, ABN carried highly objectionable broadcasts against women. YSRCP strongly reacted to this. Party leaders staged a peaceful protest in front of ABN’s Hyderabad office. Yet, without apologising, they shamelessly defended it, which has become a major talking point in the state.
This is how the diversion is playing out…
1. Chief Minister Chandrababu’s Diversion
Chandrababu compared MAVIGUN to the “Vatican” and made remarks invoking religion. He said “madness has taken over and they are talking about MAVIGUN” and accused Jagan of playing the “three-capital game” earlier, insulting the state and the people of the three regions. He got yellow newspapers to write that MAVIGUN is the peak of Jagan’s hatred towards Amaravati.
2. Minister Lokesh’s Posts
Even his son Nara Lokesh posted on social media. He made harsh comments insulting the people of Machilipatnam, Vijayawada and Guntur by calling MAVIGUN “Maya, Destruction, Gun Culture… Jagan Garu…”
3. ABN’s Obscene Remarks on Women
In ABN Andhra Jyothi newspaper and TV channel, derogatory comments were made against the wives of YSRCP leaders. They went to the extent of saying, “If Jagan says so, your wives are not your wives — treat them as sisters and look for marriage alliances — a spineless batch.” YSRCP reacted strongly. The protest was peaceful, yet they defended it shamelessly without apologising.
4. Pawan Kalyan Also Joins…
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan too joined the MAVIGUN diversion. Jana Sena officially responded on MAVIGUN. Pawan, who once said ABN should be banned, is now supporting it through tweets. People are shocked that the man who promised protection to women is now supporting the channel that made vulgar broadcasts against them.
5. Achchennaidu’s Malicious Remarks
Minister Achchennaidu made extremely derogatory comments on YS Rajasekhar Reddy’s death. He said there are suspicions that Jagan himself was responsible for YS’s death. He also claimed Jagan benefited from Vivekananda Reddy’s death. He made low-level remarks asking where Jagan was when YS died and alleged he was collecting signatures for the Chief Minister’s post. This was clearly an attempt to divert attention from MAVIGUN. YSRCP Legislative Council Opposition Leader Botsa Satyanarayana strongly condemned Achchennaidu’s comments and emotionally appealed not to politicise YS’s death.
6. Sharmila Enters the Scene
As usual, whenever Chandrababu faces trouble, Sharmila makes an entry. She gave a statement on MAVIGUN saying Jagan has become a joker in the name of MAVIGUN. She read a scripted attack claiming Jagan used YS’s name but failed to fulfil his ideals and made accusations against her brother.
7. B.V. Raghavulu Also Joins
At the same time, CPI(M) leader B.V. Raghavulu entered the scene. He said Jagan lacks political maturity — when in power he talked about three capitals, now he is talking about MAVIGUN. He asked why Jagan did not announce MAVIGUN when he was in power and said Jagan should now support Amaravati.
8. Pattabhi’s Unrestrained Comments
TDP leader Pattabhi held a media conference and unleashed a barrage of abuse against Jagan. He called MAVIGUN a laughing stock.
Why All These Tactics?
The yellow gang is resorting to all kinds of efforts for diversion because they cannot tolerate the MAVIGUN proposal. People are keenly observing the behaviour of this gang that has stooped so low for political reasons. Analysts say that because of political accusations and counter-accusations, the real issue — what is the right model for capital construction — is being sidelined. People are demanding that the capital issue should remain above political controversies. While political allegations fly back and forth, the core question — which capital model benefits the people of the state? — is getting lost. Many believe that instead of one mega project with massive expenditure, integrated development using already-developed cities is the better option. They are advising the government to stop diversion politics and focus on real development.
Loot, Share, Eat: Manifesto in dustbin, State in ruins