Former IAS officer and Lok Satta Party founder Dr Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) is generally considered to be an intellectual and a man of integrity. Though he is not a big public figure, people take his words seriously.
JP nurtured high political ambitions, he failed as a politician except for being an MLA for one-term from Kukatpally assembly constituency during the combined Andhra Pradesh regime.
He suffered humiliation in the hands of the Telangana activists for his blatant opposition to the formation of Telagana state. And when he contested the Lok Sabha elections from Malkajgiri assembly constituency, he was defeated by a big margin.
Yet, JP commands respect from various sections of people. But now, he has proved himself not only a bad politician but also a man without a consistency of thought and vision on any issue.
On Sunday, JP came down heavily on the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government for its stubborn decision on forming three capitals for Andhra Praadesh.
He demanded that Amaravati should remain the sole capital of the state and no government has the power to change it.
Comparing Jagan with Mohammad Bin Tughlaq, JP said the chief minister was trying to emulate the Muslim ruler of medieval India who changed the capitals frequently.
“Amaravati was decided as the capital city by all parties including the YSRC. Now, it has no moral right to change it,” he said.
The Lok Satta chief said the Jagan government had no clarity on the capital location and was confusing the people.
“The state high court has given a clear judgement on the capital and the Jagan government has to follow the same,” he said.
Interestingly, it was only on September 15 that JP had strongly supported Jagan’s plan for three capitals for decentralised administration.
He said the centralised capital model of Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu was totally flawed.
He agreed with Jagan’s argument that Amaravati capital region was converted into a real estate dealing.
“The previous rulers have created a real estate mania in Amaravati and encouraged real estate activity. The land rates were artificially increased and projected it as development,” he said.
It is not correct to think that everything should be in and around the capital city and investments worth lakhs of rupees should be made at a single place, JP said adding that the decentralised model of development was the right decision.
Stating that he was fully supporting the three capitals’ formula, JP said more development would be possible if the capital is located on the coast.
“Location of the capital in a landlocked place will result in lopsided development, as has happened in Hyderabad,” he added.
One wonders why JP has suddenly taken a U-turn on the three capitals issue.
“Maybe, after his last month’s statement, he came under the pressure from his caste lobby, which is hell bent on retaining Amaravati as the capital region. Otherwise, there is no other reason to defend his sudden change in stand,” an analyst said.