The joy of Amaravati farmers was short-lived when the Jagan government said it withdrew the bills on three capitals only because of certain loopholes in it.
The Chief Minister is strongly committed to three capitals. This means that the mahapadayatra will have to attain a natural culmination in Tirupati.
Now, the agitating farmers allege police harassment at every step of the journey and complain of victimisation. Permission was also refused initially citing potential law and order problems.
There are two aspects to this whole issue:
One: There is absolutely no sympathy for this mahapadayatra among the people of Andhra Pradesh. The yatra is being bankrolled by the Kamma community which stands to lose heavily if the capital is shifted from Amaravati. So, YS Jagan need not fear that this yatra will fetch any kind of mileage to the TDP.
Two: For this reason, the Padayatra should be allowed to go on undeterred. However, Police protection will have to be provided because the TDP is quite capable of orchestrating violence against the participants and using that to create a law and order problem that could snowball into a major controversy.
Therefore, it is in the best interests of YS Jagan to ensure that this padayatra is completed peacefully after which the protest would have no option but to die a natural death.
