There were promises galore prior to the elections. Now the elections are over. A new government has been sworn in and it’s back to day-to-day business.
Despite Chandra Babu Naidu assuring all along that a new capital city would be developed between Vijayawada and Guntur, the suspense over Andhra Pradesh’s capital city continues.
After hinting that a new capital city could be developed from the scratch, union minister Venkaiah Naidu has been constantly referring to Vijayawada and Guntur in all his speeches.
Originally, Venkaiah Naidu hails from Nellore district. But whenever he talks of Andhra Pradesh, he actually refers to development in and around Vijayawada and Guntur.
Irrespective of whether he is referring to the development of a capital city or about starting new projects like Metro Rail or other infrastructural projects, all his focus has been on Vijayawada and Guntur, much to the chagrin of people from the remaining 11 districts in the newly formed state. There is little or no reference to his district or any other district with regards to developmental activities.
Incidentally, AP Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu is also from Chittoor district in Rayalaseema. Surprisingly, he too is totally focused on developing Vijaywada and Guntur at the cost of other districts.
While claiming that he will not repeat the mistake that happened in the case of Hyderabad, Babu is once again concentrating on Vijayawada and Guntur for all developmental activity.
On the other hand, Venkaiah Naidu went a step ahead and became a spoke in the wheel by suggesting that Vijayawada-Guntur would be an ideal location for setting up AIIMS in the state. Prior to bifurcation, a central team had identified a place near Panyam area in backward Kurnool district for setting up AIIMS. The team is already in parleys with the Kurnool Collector and his office. But Venkaiah is said have recommended Vijayawada-Guntur to union health minister Harshavardhan instead. Incidentally, the same was disclosed by Harshavardhan during an interview to a national media channel.
Prior to elections and post elections, both Chandra Babu and Venkaiah had maintained that they will distribute projects to all 13 districts so that there is all-round development throughout Andhra Pradesh. However, in reality, the ‘Naidu brothers’ (Venkaiah and Babu) are doing exactly opposite to what they had promised.
It is not clear as to why both of them have placed their entire focus on Vijayawada-Guntur. There is no doubt that Metro Rail project and other infrastructural activities are vital for Seemandhra. But Metro Rail will not be of any immediate use to the region as Metro works best in cities where there are traffic woes owing to population explosion.
For now, it would be best if they work on a plan of action that is spread across Seemandhra. The development of the capital is yet to begin. In fact, a new capital city is yet to be finalized. Meanwhile, the over enthusiasm of both the leaders in promoting Vijayawada-Guntur, has left many Seemandhra people in dismay.
