Undeterred by the ongoing legal tussle with Amaravati farmers and opposition leaders, Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy is going forward with the AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of all Regions Act that was signed and approved by AP Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan. While the AP High Court has issued a Stay Order and directed for a Status Quo on the 3 Capitals, AP government has moved the Supreme Court against the High Court’s stay order. CM Jagan is determined to form 3 Capitals – Legislative Capital (Amaravati), Administrative Capital (Visakhapatnam), Legal Capital (Kurnool).
As per the latest reports, Jagan administration is planning to conduct the foundation ceremony for the 3 Capitals on August 16. CM Jagan is said to have sought the appointment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally invite him to the foundation ceremony. AP CM may ask PM Modi to take part in the foundation ceremony either through physical presence or through electronic presence i.e via video-conference.
AP CMO has written a letter to Prime Minister’s Office seeking PM’s appointment for AP CM for the same. Praveen Prakash, principal secretary to AP CM YS Jagan and head of the CMO, has written a letter to V Seshadri, the joint secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, seeking PM’s appointment for CM Jagan to invite him for the foundation ceremony of 3 Capitals.
Looks like Jagan doesn’t want to delay the 3 Capitals any further. Since he has only 4 years left in the office, CM Jagan wants to complete the works at brisk pace before going to face the 2024 general election.
Earlier, the Union Home Ministry in its affidavit to the High Court made it clear that the decision of state capital is purely state affairs and the Union Government has no role to play. In an elaborate reply, the Centre also reminded that Amaravati as capital was the sole decision of the previous government of Andhra Pradesh.
Going by the latest developments, the hopes of Amaravati farmers may be dashed. Amaravati farmers may have to seek compensation for the loss incurred to farmers owning 33,000 acre lands that were given for AP CRDA, Amaravati to the previous government.
