The Andhra Pradesh ruling party, YSRCP, has added a new twist to the state capital saga. Y.S. Subba Reddy recently suggested that Hyderabad should remain the joint capital of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana until Andhra Pradesh has its own capital. This statement comes at a crucial time, just a few weeks ahead of the simultaneous elections to the Assembly and Lok Sabha. The political dynamics surrounding the state’s capital issue are intensifying as the opposition parties have launched a scathing attack on the Jagan government for keeping the state without a capital.
The 2014 Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act stated that Hyderabad would be the joint capital of the two Telugu states for 10 years, until June 2, 2024, after which it would become the capital of Telangana alone. However, despite promises and plans, Andhra Pradesh is still without a clear capital city.
In the past, there were grand plans to develop Amaravati as a world-class city. However, the defeat of the TDP in the 2019 elections led to a change in plans, and the current YSRCP government mooted Visakhapatnam as the administrative capital, Kurnool as the judicial capital, and Amaravati as the legislative capital. These decisions faced opposition from farmers who had given their land for the development of Amaravati.
The recent statement by Subba Reddy is seen as an attempt by the YSRCP to divert attention from the ongoing debate over the three capitals issue. However, opinions within the party differ, as Education Minister Botsa Satyanarayana expressed a disagreement with Subba Reddy’s views. The opposition parties have also criticized YSRCP’s approach to the capital issue, with accusations and taunts exchanged between the parties.
The larger issue of the three capitals is currently in a legal tangle, and it is not expected to be resolved before the upcoming elections. The Supreme Court’s decision on the state’s capital and the law on three capitals is eagerly awaited, as the issue continues to be a topic of contention and debate.
Overall, the ongoing discussion on Andhra Pradesh’s state capital remains complex and multifaceted. The issue has drawn attention from various political parties, and the statement by Subba Reddy has added another layer to the already complicated debate. The outcome of this debate will likely shape the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh in the upcoming elections.
