Andhra Pradesh continues to be plagued by capital pains

By Narendra PuppalHyderabad, Dec 5, : Seven-and-a half years after its contours were redrawn in the wake of Telanganas formation, the residuary State of Andhra Pradesh remains lost in search for its capital city.

The latest twist of events has further muddied waters as Amaravati, the greenfield capital city, continues to languish in the doldrums.

The Prime Ministers announcement of repealing the three farm laws prompted hopes that Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy would repeal the three capital formulas.However, unlike the unambiguous announcement by the Prime Minister which diluted, to some extent, the antifarm laws agitation in large part, the Jaganreddy dispensations announcement didnt put an end to the 700-day-long agitation for Amaravati being retained as the sole capital.

Jagan Reddy, who was announcing the repeal of the Bills for the trifurcation the capital city, made it clear that an improved Bill would soon be introduced.Amaravati farmers, who gave up their lands to the capital city project, are now motivated to continue the war path.

Farmers continue their 45-day-long Capital To Temple Mahapadyatra to pressure the state government to address the issue.The ruling party claims that farmers agitation was orchestrated by the opposition TDP.Both the TDP and the farmers have refuted these claims.Andhra Pradesh has been in an existential crisis since 2014, when it was split and lost Hyderabad to the newly formed Telangana state.

Because of N Chandrababu Naidu, the Telugu Desam Party leader, who served as chief minister for both undivided Andhra Pradesh and the residuary states, the city has become one of the most dynamic in modern India.It is not surprising that Chandrababu Naidu set out to create a capital for the state, which would give Hyderabad a run for their money.

The launch of the capital city project was celebrated at Amaravati with Prime Minister Narendra Modi present.The project was hampered by several factors.

Land acquisition proved difficult for farmers who were unwilling to give up their fertile lands.They were eventually convinced and the project moved forward.

Unfortunately, Naidus party lost the 2019 assembly elections.This brought YS Jagan Mohanreddy, present chief minister and YSRC Party supremo, to power with a crushing majority.

Reddy announced the trifurcation and reorganization of the capital.This was one of his first major decisions.

Amaravati would still house the legislature, while Visakhapatnam, to the north would be the centre for the executive, and Kurnool, to the south, would be a judicial capital.The move caused concern among the opposition TDP as well as the Amaravati region farmers, who had given over 35,000 acres fertile land.

Although some opposition parties did question YSRCPs decision, the BJP remained neutral and let the main regional parties debate the issue.The TDP, which has been at the receiving of the ruling party’s brute majority in both the legislature and on ground, is finally beginning to see a ray for hope.

Leaders of the party said that they are now looking at a way to overthrow the YSRCP for the first time in nearly two-and-a half years.The BJP joined the bandwagon just a few days before the dramatic announcement by the state government regarding the repeal of laws to trifurcate the capital.

The fledgling Jana Sena Party, headed by Pawan Kalyan, has thrown its weight behind the agitating farmer.Angiating farmers continue to plod along despite the stalemate.

The opposition TDP is sharpening their knives, while the BJP is trying to test the waters.The YS Jagan Mohanreddy dispensation has reached the halfway mark of its five year tenure.

Meanwhile, battle lines are becoming more clearer on Amaravati.This issue could be the deciding factor in 2024 assembly elections.

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