At least, the opposition Telugu Desam Party has taken a clear stand against the YSR Congress party government’s decision to shift the executive capital to Visakhapatnam, though there are a few TDP leaders who have welcomed chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy’s decision.
But, the Bharatiya Janata Party does not seem to have clarity on what stand it should take on the capital relocation issue.
On the day one of Jagan’s announcement in the assembly mooting three capitals, BJP state president Kanna Lakshminarayana welcomed the move, stating that decentralisation of administration would do good for the state.
But within a few hours, he changed his stand and demanded that it was not proper to have the Secretariat and assembly at two different places, though it is welcome to have the high court at Kurnool. He accused the chief minister of confusing the people.
On the other hand, former Union minister and presently BJP Rajya Sabha member Y S Chowdary alias Sujana Chowdary strongly opposed shifting of capital from Amaravati in any form.
He demanded that the Jagan government maintain status quo in Amaravati and even assured the farmers of Amaravati that it is not so easy to shift the capital.
Ironically, another BJP MP T G Venkatesh also welcomed the three capitals formula. But he demanded that the Secretariat also should be shifted to Kurnool.
On Saturday, BJP state vice president S Vishnuvardhan Reddy came up with yet another argument.
He insisted that Amaravati should be continued as the capital of the state and Assembly and state secretariat should be continued in the same place as usual.
He said the BJP supports decentralization of development of the state but Amaravati should be continued as capital, while Visakhapatnam should be developed as industrial hub. He, however, welcomed the proposal to set up high court in Kurnool
He alleged the GN Rao committee’s report was nothing but a tailor made report to suit the interests of the chief minister.
So, what’s the official stand of the BJP? Nobody knows!