Date: December 19, 2024
Minister’s Remarks on Amaravati Spark Heated TDP Reaction
Telangana Minister’s Comments on Amaravati Spark Political Debate
Telangana politics took a dramatic turn when Cabinet Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy made controversial remarks about Amaravati spark, the capital region of Andhra Pradesh. His comments have not only drawn ire from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) but also reignited old rivalries between political factions in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Ponguleti’s Provocative Statement on Amaravati Spark
A few days ago, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy stated that Amaravati is flood-prone and unattractive to major investors. He dismissed the assumption that Amaravati could prosper under Chandrababu Naidu’s leadership and even compared it unfavorably to Hyderabad, calling it a capital region that “is no match to Hyderabad.”
This comment has criticized as unnecessary and provocative, sparking a political backlash from TDP leaders.
TDP Reacts Strongly
TDP MLA Dhulipalla Narendra responded with a strong counter, accusing Ponguleti of being biased due to his past association with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
“Ponguleti’s affiliation with Jagan seems to have clouded his judgment. Amaravati is thriving under Chandrababu Garu’s leadership, and investments are pouring into Andhra Pradesh. His baseless comments show a clear bias,” Narendra said.
He further emphasized that Amaravati is experiencing significant development, contrary to Ponguleti’s claims.
Ponguleti’s Political Affiliation
Ponguleti’s loyalty to YS Jagan has been a point of contention. Having contested from Khammam on a YSR Congress Party ticket in 2014, Ponguleti later shifted allegiances to the BRS and then to Congress in 2023. Despite these political moves, he is still considered a loyalist of Jagan in Telangana.
TDP leaders have highlighted this connection, alleging that Ponguleti’s remarks stem from his lingering loyalty to Jagan.
A Call for Restraint
While the chief ministers of the Telugu states, Chandrababu Naidu and Revanth Reddy, are focused on fostering mutual development, such inflammatory comments threaten to derail their collaborative efforts. TDP leaders have urged restraint from Telangana ministers, stating that divisive remarks serve no constructive purpose.
Conclusion
The controversial comments by Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Amaravati have stirred political tensions between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. As Amaravati continues to grow under Chandrababu Naidu’s leadership, such provocative statements risk creating unnecessary discord between the neighboring states. Constructive dialogue and cooperation remain essential for the collective progress of both Telugu states.