The five-hour-long debate in the state assembly on the high court judgement on Amaravati capitals issue has not given any clarity as to what chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is going to do on the capital issue.
As expected, the chief minister only reiterated that his government was committed to the formation of three capitals for a decentralised administration. It is the government’s policy and no court verdict can change it.
But Jagan did not disclose what he intends to do now – whether he would move the Supreme Court challenging the high court verdict or re-introduce the legislation on three capitals in the assembly again, thereby directly defying the high court order.
All that the chief minister said in the assembly was that his government was exploring all legal options and was searching for alternative measures within the framework of the Constitution for implementing the agenda of the decentralised administration.
According to sources, the Jagan government might move the Supreme Court only to buy time, as it is aware that the judgement in the apex court would be no different.
However, he might seek time to develop Amaravati, while continuing to harp on the decentralised administration for another two years.
Jagan made it clear in the assembly that it is very difficult to implement the Amaravati master plan. He said the master plan is for 25 years and it could be reviewed in every five years.
“Six years back the estimate for basic infrastructure in 54,000 acres was worked out at Rs 1.09 lakh crores and now it must have gone up many times. Between 2016 and 2019 Rs 5,000 crore was spent and government cannot spend more than that,” he explained.
Analysts say it is a tricky situation for the chief minister.
“He has no option but to go with the development of Amaravati, albeit on a smaller scale. At the same time, he will pitch for decentralised development. He might even go to the next elections on his three capitals’ agenda,” an analyst said.
