Even as the contentious issue of the capital city for Andhra Pradesh is still caught in the legal wrangle in Supreme Court, the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government has stepped up its campaign for three capitals for the state without waiting for the outcome of the hearing in the apex court.
While it is learnt to have already started preparations to shift the chief minister’s camp office to Visakhapatnam, the proposed executive capital, with effect from next Ugadi festival, it has decided even the place to construct the new building for the state high court at Kurnool, the proposed judicial capital.
On Monday, senior senior YSRC leader and state finance minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy announced that the state government would construct the new high court building in 10 acres of land at Jagannatha Gattu hillock, a famous tourist spot closer to Kurnool town.
The picturesque hillock is known for famous Shiva temple, where the Lingam is believed to have been installed by Pandava prince Bheema.
“It is an auspicious place and is visible from all sides and is an ideal location for the high court,” said state finance minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy, while addressing a massive rally Rayalaseema Garjana at STBC college grounds, Kurnool, in support of three capitals.
Buggana said the high court will stand a symbol of the aspirations of the youth and farmers of Rayalaseema and uphold its self-respect.
“Our movement will continue till we achieve this goal,” he said.
Reddy said the chief minister had proposed three capitals for the state for all-round development of all the three regions – north coastal Andhra, south coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema.
“The basis for decentralised administration for overall development of the state was the recommendation made by Sivaramakrishnan Committee, Sri Krishna Committee and Gentlemen’s Agreement. As part of this strategy, the Jagan government has taken up national highways worth Rs 7,500 crore and constructed a law university in Rayalaseema region,” the minister said.
Taking a dig at Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu, Reddy alleged that Naidu had deprived the Rayalaseema region of its growth opportunities.
He demanded that Naidu declare his stand on the judicial capital – whether he wanted or opposed the setting up of high court in Kurnool.
