Amaravati, November 15: A major announcement from the Centre regarding the manufacturing of 200 intercity trains at the Kazipet coach factory over the next five years has ignited a fierce political slugfest in Andhra Pradesh. The project, which promises to transform the Telangana region’s industrial landscape, has become a new battleground for the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and the Janasena Party, each scrambling to claim credit and corner political mileage.
YSRCP Hits Out: ‘Centre Snubbing Andhra Pradesh?’
The ruling YSRCP, led by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, was quick to question the timing and location of the project. Party spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member V. Vijayasai Reddy alleged that the Centre, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was deliberately bypassing Andhra Pradesh in favor of Telangana. “It is a classic case of vote bank politics. Andhra Pradesh has vast potential and infrastructure, including the Biswanadhapuram coach factory. Yet, the central government chooses to allocate 200 trains to Kazipet in Telangana. Where is the promised special status? Where is the industrial corridor for Andhra?” he charged in a press release.
YSRCP leaders further argued that the decision is an affront to the people of Andhra Pradesh who have been demanding railway asset allocation since the state’s bifurcation. “This is part of a larger pattern: give everything to Telangana because it has a BJP government, while Andhra is punished for not aligning with the Centre’s dictatorial agenda,” added Minister for Information and Public Relations, Ch. Venu Gopala Reddy, hinting that the YSRCP would raise the issue in the Assembly and Parliament.
TDP: ‘Credit Where Not Due – Jagan’s Failure, Not BJP’s Favor’
The TDP, under the leadership of former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, took a different tack. Instead of outright opposing the project, the party sought to portray it as a result of the neglect of Andhra’s own railway aspirations due to YSRCP’s governance. TDP national spokesperson Lanka Dinakar said, “Jagan Mohan Reddy’s government has zero vision for industrial growth. While Telangana is getting 200 trains, what are we getting? The YSRCP is wasting time in blaming the Centre rather than presenting a concrete plan for Vizag, Kadapa, or Guntur.”
The TDP also reminded voters of the historic railway agreement signed during the Congress regime, which guaranteed railway assets to both states. “We had a robust railway network plan when Naidu was CM. The YSRCP has dismantled that. Instead of demanding trains, they should demand their own incompetence be investigated,” Dinakar added, taking a dig at the YSRCP’s claims of victimization. The party is expected to stage protests in railway zones across the state, demanding equal allocation.
Janasena: ‘Development Should Not Be a Political Trophy’
Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan, known for his alternative political stance, attempted to strike a conciliatory but sharp note. In a statement, his party said that the manufacturing of trains is a positive step for Telangana, but it should not be used for partisan one-upmanship. “We appreciate any development in the southern region. But the question is: why is Andhra being treated as a stepchild? Is it because we have a non-BJP government? The Centre must explain this bias,” the statement read.
Janasena leaders also criticized both the YSRCP and TDP for turning a railway announcement into a “political circus”. “Instead of fighting over credit, both parties should come together to demand equal allocation for Andhra. The people are tired of this blame game. They want jobs and better connectivity. The Janasena will not rest until Andhra gets its due share,” said Janasena policy coordinator, K. Kameswari.
The party also suggested that Andhra should leverage its own potential in Visakhapatnam, which already has a strong logistics and manufacturing base, to demand a dedicated coach factory. “If Kazipet can get 200 trains, why can’t Vizag get 100? The answer is simple: lack of political will from both the Centre and the state,” the statement added.
The Ground Reality
While the political firestorm rages, the Railway Ministry has confirmed that the 200 intercity trains, part of the ‘Vande Bharat’ and modern ‘Shatabdi’ replacements, will be manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Kazipet, Telangana, over the next five years. The project is expected to generate over 5,000 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs, boosting the regional economy of Telangana’s Warangal district.
Political analysts observe that the announcement comes at a crucial time when elections in Andhra Pradesh are less than a year away. “This is a classic case of Narendra Modi’s government playing the development card to strengthen its allies in Telangana, while indirectly putting pressure on the YSRCP. The TDP and Janasena are trying to use it as a cudgel against Jagan,” said Dr. G. Raghava Reddy, a political commentator based in Guntur.
The Final Word
As the dust settles, the people of Andhra Pradesh are left with a bitter taste. While Telangana celebrates a major industrial windfall, Andhra’s leaders are busy trading charges on TV studios and social media. Whether the YSRCP can turn this into a sympathy vote, or the TDP-Janasena combine can capitalize on the frustration, remains to be seen. For now, the Kazipet train manufacturing hub has become a symbol of the deep regional asymmetry that continues to define South Indian politics.