Jogi Ramesh, once a very close confidant and loyal voice of Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, has in recent times surprised many with his candid comments on the Amaravati capital matter. Where he was famously known for his loyal ferocity—fighting constantly with opposition political heads and making no bones about party rhetoric—Jogi was rewarded in Jagan’s administration by being given a significant cabinet position.
In a recent open-ended interview, however, Jogi spilled the beans that Amaravati capital decision has caused visible splits within party ranks. He categorically asserted that if YSRCP is back in power, Amaravati has to be the only capital of Andhra Pradesh, indicating a possible reversal of the earlier multi-capital plan.
Jogi also admitted that some of his previous harsh utterances—particularly directed at Nara Bhuvaneshwari, wife of CM Chandrababu Naidu—had boomeranged and damaged the party’s public image. He told us that even his wife had suggested to him to keep in mind vital public issues rather than using objectionable language in the Assembly, marking a softer, more thoughtful stage in his political career.
These revelations have fueled widespread speculation about whether Jogi’s softened stance reflects his personal views or indicates a broader shift within the YSR Congress Party. Political analysts suggest this could point to a gradual softening of the party’s rigid position on the three-capital plan.
This is confirmed by recent Jagan’s remarks indicating the prospect of building the capital close to Amaravati on approximately 500 acres—making many think that the government could be abandoning its previous multiple capitals approach. Jogi Ramesh’s latest remarks appear to affirm this changing mindset, upholding Amaravati as the state’s main capital.
Observers contend that Jogi’s many ongoing legal issues may have triggered his more sober and considered comments.
While whether this is a sincere change of heart or a purely political maneuver is uncertain, Jogi Ramesh’s recent comments have certainly added another layer to the Amaravati capital debate and may shape the future direction of the YSR Congress Party.