Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y.S. Sharmila symbolically sent “Amaravati soil” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to fulfill the promises made during the 2015 foundation-laying ceremony for Amaravati, the proposed capital of Andhra Pradesh.
Earlier on Wednesday, Sharmila was placed under house arrest as she prepared to visit Uddandarayunipalem in the Amaravati capital region, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to relaunch the capital city works on May 2.
A significant police force, including numerous women officers, arrived at Sharmila’s residence at SLV Villas, located on the outskirts of Vijayawada in Kesarapalli. Barricades were erected, and security personnel stood guard to stop her from proceeding with the planned visit.
Following her release from house arrest, Sharmila staged a symbolic protest at the site where Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone in 2015, visiting the location ahead of his scheduled visit.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi garu (@narendramodi), will you build Amaravati at least this time? Or will it be another betrayal?” Sharmila asked.
Referring to the original foundation stone laid in 2015, she said, “Ten years ago, you brought soil and metaphorically threw it in our faces. You poured cold water on our hopes and walked away.”
“Now, as you come for the re-foundation ceremony of the capital, we are sending you this very soil from Amaravati as a gift.”
She urged the Prime Minister to “remember the promises made during the first foundation-laying ceremony” and “reflect on the betrayal of the past ten years.”
“Modi garu, you must take an oath on this soil before stepping into Amaravati—an oath that you will not deceive us again.”
She reminded him that “building the capital is entirely the responsibility of the central government,” and demanded that he “write and sign a declaration stating, ‘I will build a capital that surpasses even Delhi.’”
On Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s plan to fund Amaravati’s construction through loans, she said, “We don’t want loans. We don’t want that burden placed on our future generations.”
She insisted that “the central government must unconditionally grant ₹1.5 lakh crore over the next three years for the construction of the capital.”
The Congress chief further demanded that “Amaravati must be given legal status as the capital.”
On behalf of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Party, she urged clarity on “the bifurcation promises that have remained unfulfilled for the past ten years.”
The house arrest of Y.S. Sharmila sparked widespread backlash, leading to unrest near Andhra Ratna Bhavan, where Congress workers staged protests.
Tensions escalated further when BJP activists allegedly attacked the Congress office, hurling eggs and tomatoes.
Sharmila condemned the assault and questioned the security lapse, asking how the attackers accessed the premises without police intervention.
She demanded swift action from authorities.
“Modi gave us mud, and now he returns to throw lime on our faces,” she remarked, referring to the symbolic gestures during the Prime Minister’s 2015 foundation-laying visit.
Reacting to the situation, Sharmila also questioned the legal and moral authority of the ruling coalition to detain her.
Addressing the media present at her residence, she announced the recent formation of the Congress party’s Amaravati Capital Committee, created to assess the region and draft a plan addressing local concerns.
“But I fail to understand why the coalition government is afraid of the Congress committee. What are they trying to hide?” she asked.
Earlier, highlighting the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit, she stated that the Congress had critical questions regarding Amaravati’s long-standing issues. “Is there any prohibition on holding meetings and discussing people’s issues in Andhra Pradesh?” she asked, as her supporters chanted slogans such as “police zulum down down” and “PM Modi down down.”
She took serious objection to the police intervention, particularly the physical restraint imposed by women officers. “Andhra Pradesh is in third position in terms of atrocities against women,” she remarked, asserting that police resources should instead be focused on women’s safety.
Blaming both Chandrababu Naidu and Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, she said the former indulged in “graphics politics,” while the latter diluted the capital agenda through the controversial three-capital plan. She called for clarity and commitment from the Uinon and state alike.
In the aftermath of the Andhra Ratna Bhavan attack, Sharmila insisted on the arrest of all involved. “How could attackers enter the party office without police collusion?” she asked, demanding ‘attempt-to-murder’ charges be filed and questioning the safety of Congress workers under the current administration.
 president Y.S. Sharmila symbolically sent “Amaravati soil” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to fulfill the promises made during the 2015 foundation-laying ceremony for Amaravati, the proposed capital of Andhra Pradesh.){kind=link}