Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is reportedly unhappy with the way State Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P. Narayana is handling the Amaravati capital issue.
According to sources, Naidu received intelligence reports suggesting that Narayana’s perceived indifferent approach toward the problems of Amaravati farmers could have political repercussions. Naidu had placed considerable trust in Narayana during the initial design of Amaravati’s masterplan in his previous term. Accordingly, when Naidu returned to power in June 2024, he reinstated Narayana in the cabinet with the same municipal administration and urban development portfolio.
However, recent developments indicate that Naidu’s strategy may not have worked as intended. Narayana’s management of the second phase of land pooling, particularly his engagement with farmers who had already surrendered land during the first phase, has drawn criticism. Many farmers who contributed land to the capital project continue to face unresolved issues regarding compensation, infrastructure, and livelihood assurances. The government’s move to initiate a second phase of land pooling without fully addressing these grievances reportedly triggered resentment and affected the party’s image.
Recognizing the potential political fallout, Naidu intervened by forming a committee consisting of Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, Narayana, and local MLA T. Sravan Kumar to collectively oversee Amaravati-related matters. This move marked a shift from Narayana’s earlier solo handling of the issue.
Since the formation of the committee, decisions regarding Amaravati have reportedly gained momentum, with multiple stakeholders now involved in negotiations with farmers. Party insiders also suggest that Naidu believes Narayana’s current approach differs from his earlier style, prompting closer monitoring.
With Amaravati remaining a politically sensitive and emotionally charged issue, leaders warn that any missteps could have significant consequences for the party.
Shivaji Clarifies, Apologises Over ‘Dhandoraa’ Pre-Release Event Remarks
Actor Shivaji’s remarks on the dressing sense of actresses during the pre-release event of Dhandoraa sparked widespread controversy. While speaking at the event, Shivaji attempted to express his views from a personal perspective, but certain words used in his speech triggered strong reactions and criticism. The issue quickly went viral across media outlets and social media platforms.
Within 24 hours of the incident, Shivaji released an apology video, addressing the controversy publicly. He expressed regret over the choice of words that caused discomfort and clarified that he had no intention of offending anyone. He stated that his comments were made out of concern and were meant as advice, without any negative motive.
At a subsequent press meet, Shivaji once again addressed the issue, acknowledging that his words may have hurt some people. He apologized specifically for the way his thoughts were conveyed and reiterated that he holds respect for everyone. At the same time, he maintained that while he accepts responsibility for the manner in which his statement was expressed, he stands by the broader intention behind it, adding that he was not afraid to hold his ground on that perspective.
Shivaji also revealed that the controversy took an emotional toll on him and kept him away from promotional activities for a brief period. However, he said attending the press meet was part of his responsibility toward the film and its team. He concluded by expressing hope that attention would now shift back to Dhandoraa and the efforts of everyone involved in the project.