Within hours of Telugu Desam Party legislator and former minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao showering praises on YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy for deciding to make Visakhapatnam as executive capital of Andhra, his detractor Avanti Srinivas lashed out at him.
“Ganta cannot survive for long time without being part of the power centre. Wherever power is there, he has to be there. He is a rank opportunist. That is why he is trying to gain entry into the YSR Congress party. There is no place for such opportunities in the party,” Avanti, who was also in the TDP till the last elections before jumping into the YSRC and has become a minister later.
Stating that Jagan had taken a historic decision on proposing three capital cities for Andhra Pradesh.
“It is a great decision to have the executive capital in Visakhapatnam. There is absolutely no politics in it. He will take any decision in the best interest of the people,” Avanti said.
The minister refuted the allegations that the proposal for three capitals was mooted to suppress one community.
"The capitals are not created based on castes. The chief minister is neither opposed to nor in favour of any community or caste,” he said.
He also sought to allay the fears of the Amaravati farmers about the capital. He assured the Amravati farmers to provide the best infrastructure to them. Avanti said the farmers need not worry.