As the stage is set for the mega relaunch of Amaravati capital city works on Friday, there is a discussion on whether YSR Congress party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy will attend the programme to be graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government on Wednesday evening officially invited Jagan, asking him to attend the mega event.
Senior officials from the protocol department personally visited Jagan’s residence in Tadepalli and delivered the invitation.
Since Jagan was not at home, the invitation was handed over to his personal assistant, K Nageswara Reddy. Similar invitations were sent to other senior leaders of the YSRCP, sources said.
Normally, it is presumed that Jagan won’t attend the Amaravati capital city relaunch programme, as he doesn’t like to face chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and others.
He did not even attend Naidu’s swearing-in ceremony in June last year, nor has he been attending the assembly sessions.
Moreover, it is quite possible that Naidu will make a reference to how Amaravati was abandoned by the Jagan government in pursuit of his fancy idea of creating three capitals. So, it would be embarrassing for Jagan to go there and become a subject of criticism.
In fact, the earlier TDP government under Naidu leadership invited Jagan for the original foundation-laying ceremony of Amaravati, but Jagan chose not to attend. So, whether Jagan will attend this time has now become a subject of political curiosity.
The government’s invitation to Jagan is being seen as an attempt to claim the moral high ground. If Jagan attends, it could help dispel ongoing negative sentiment around him regarding the capital issue. Some party leaders believe this would indicate a positive shift in Jagan's stance.
After receiving the invitation, Jagan reportedly held internal discussions with his party leaders. Senior party members are expected to meet with him today.
While Jagan continues to raise allegations about the ongoing tendering process in Amaravati, it is now clear that there will be no reversal in the decision to make it the sole capital.
Political circles are now speculating whether Jagan will attend in person or delegate party representatives. His decision is expected to be revealed by Thursday evening and is being closely watched for its political implications.
