The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has alleged large-scale corruption and nepotism in the Amaravati capital project and claimed that the proposed capital city would become a huge financial burden on the people of Andhra Pradesh.

Addressing the media at Tadepalli on Monday, former Minister Perni Venkataramaiah (Nani) said the “Mavigun” concept proposed by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy was a more practical, economical and people-friendly alternative.

He alleged that plots were not being allotted to farmers in areas near Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s residence, but were instead being given at faraway locations, while relatives and associates of people close to the Chief Minister were allegedly receiving preferential treatment.

Mr. Nani further claimed that benamis linked to Mr. Naidu were benefiting from plot allocations, while several genuine farmers were being excluded and pushed into distress. He alleged that corruption, discrimination and nepotism had become rampant in the Amaravati project and also accused a Union Minister of insulting farmers.

Questioning the timeline for completion of Amaravati, he said nearly five lakh people had been affected by the land pooling process and maintained that the Mavigun model would be a better alternative for the State. He also alleged that, instead of responding directly to the proposal, the ruling party was using its Ministers to politically target Mr. Jagan.