The YSR Congress Party has begun an aggressive campaign to promote the Machilipatnam–Vijayawada–Guntur (Mavigun) corridor as an alternative capital model, reviving the debate over Amaravati despite its recent statutory backing.
The renewed push comes after Parliament passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 earlier this month, reinforcing Amaravati’s status as the state capital. However, party chief Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has doubled down on his “Mavigun” proposal, describing it as a viable “Plan B.”
Corridor over single capital
Jagan has argued that instead of concentrating development in one city, the 110-km stretch linking Machilipatnam, Vijayawada and Guntur could serve as a distributed capital region. He claims the corridor already has key infrastructure, including a port, highway connectivity and access to an airport, making it more cost-effective and growth-oriented.
According to him, the model could be developed at a fraction of the cost of Amaravati while delivering faster results.
From scepticism to campaign
The proposal initially caught even YSRCP leaders off guard, with some dismissing it as a political jibe at the ruling coalition. But over the past few days, the party has shifted gears, with leaders and cadre actively promoting the idea on the ground and across social media.
At a meeting in Tadepalli, Jagan clarified that the concept was backed by “strong reasoning” and not a passing remark. Senior leader Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy echoed this, calling Mavigun a more practical alternative that could be operational with minimal investment.
Party workers have also revived slogan-based campaigning around the idea, signalling that it could become a key plank ahead of future elections.
Pushback from ruling alliance
The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led government has dismissed the proposal outright. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu criticised the idea, reiterating that Amaravati will remain the state’s capital and that its development will continue at pace.
TDP leaders have also pointed out that Jagan had earlier championed a three-capital model during his tenure, questioning the timing and intent behind the new proposal.
Capital debate far from over
Political analysts believe the Mavigun push is a calculated attempt to keep the capital debate alive and challenge Amaravati’s primacy. By projecting an alternative model, YSRCP appears to be positioning itself for a long-term political contest over the state’s administrative future.
While Amaravati currently holds legal backing, the aggressive campaign around Mavigun suggests the issue could resurface prominently in the run-up to the next electoral cycle—keeping Andhra Pradesh’s capital question firmly in the spotlight.
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