"I need not go anywhere if I am to build a slum. Our people can do it. They can only build slums. Building a capital is a crisis. I have no money but have an iron will," Chandrababu told a press conference, expressing pain over the criticism.
He was referring to criticism that he was promising to build a Singapore, Astana or any other city he visited, in Amaravati, the new capital of AP.
"If we have to build monuments, a thorough study is essential. That is the reason I am visiting different cities. Astana, Kazakhstan's capital, is a beautiful and planned city. They have come forward to help us in building Amaravati," said the Chief Minister, who returned from a trip to Kazakhstan and Russia today.
More From This Section
Chandrababu said AP would soon enter into a sister city relationship with St Petersburg.
"During a meeting, Russian Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev wanted cooperation not only between Moscow and New Delhi but also provinces of the two countries. I have invited him to visit Amaravati and he accepted it," the Chief Minister said.
Stating that his six-day tour of Kazakhstan and Russia helped build a "positiveness" about AP, Chandrababu said he asked Russia to set up an industrial cluster in AP, particularly in aerospace and defence manufacturing under the 'Make in India' programme.