“‘Focus on Benefits, Not Name’: Sajjala on Jagan’s Mavigan Proposal”

In recent times, no other name has sparked as much debate and controversy as this. The proposal of “Mavigan,” put forward by YSR Congress Party chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy regarding the state capital, has created a major uproar across Andhra Pradesh. It is not surprising that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and its alliance partners opposed and ridiculed the proposal. However, what stands out is that even those known to be sympathizers of the YSRCP were taken aback by Jagan’s suggestion. Many questioned the very origin and meaning of the name, criticizing it heavily on social media. Interestingly, it appears that even YSRCP State Coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy was not entirely convinced by the name. Speaking at a media briefing on Saturday, he remarked that the focus should not be on the name suggested by Jagan, but rather on whether the proposal would benefit the people or not. This has led to internal discussions within the party, with some interpreting his comments as an indirect admission that the “Mavigan” name was a misstep.

At the same time, Sajjala seemed to defend the proposal by pointing out that urban development authorities in the state are often given abbreviated names like VUDA, TUDA, and MUDA, and that even industrial corridor names can sound unusual. His comments appeared to be an attempt to counter the trolling surrounding “Mavigan.”

He also criticized the current political narrative, alleging that instead of addressing pressing issues in the state, there has been an unnecessary focus on Amaravati celebrations over the past week. He accused critics of insulting the three regions by comparing them to a pack of cards. Questioning the logic behind statewide celebrations for a project like Amaravati, which is estimated to cost ₹2 lakh crore, Sajjala said that people had rejected Chandrababu Naidu’s call for celebrations.

On the other hand, YSRCP senior leader and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Botsa Satyanarayana, stated that Amaravati is only a legislative capital for them. He questioned why ₹1.10 lakh crore should be spent there, clarifying that they are not against Amaravati itself but oppose the alleged corruption associated with it. He also emphasized that Amaravati is not their priority.

Botsa added that if Chandrababu delays Amaravati’s development works, the party may reconsider its stance. His remarks have raised doubts about whether the three-capital plan proposed earlier by Jagan is still active. While in power, Jagan strongly advocated for three capitals, but after the Parliament passed a bill granting legal status to Amaravati, he shifted focus and introduced the “Mavigan” proposal—drawing sharp criticism in the process.