In an inconspicuous attempt, the Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy proposed to sell 14 acres of land in the Amaravati villages.
Despite a pending case in the Supreme Court, the government moved forward with the plan, raising eyebrows and attracting strong criticism from farmers.
The farmers have been silent ever since their Padayatra to Arasavalli Temple was forced to stop in the East Godavari district.
Jagan Mohan Reddy's plan to sell the lands gave them a chance to come out in the open and raise their voices on Wednesday.
The government proposed to sell 10 acres at Navuluru and 4 acres in Picchukalapalem villages.
The government fixed the rate at Rs 5.94 crore per acre at Navuluru village and Rs 5.41 crore per acre at Picchukalapalem village.
Accordingly, the 14 acres would bring Rs 81.04 crore to the exchequer through the AP Capital Region Development Authority.
However, the government did not mention for what purpose it had proposed to sell the land.
It remains to be seen what the farmers will do and how the Supreme Court will react, as the case is before it and is scheduled to be heard on March 28.