The secret visit of Chief Minister’s mother Vijayamma in Amaravati sparked speculations among the public. She reportedly toured the region without getting down from her car and saw the completed and incomplete constructions. What is the intention behind the visit?
YSRCP party honorary president and Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s mother Vijayamma’s secret tour in capital Amaravati has sparked speculation. She reportedly visited officials’ quarters and High Court complex. Jagan has decided to shift the capital to Visakhapatnam on the grounds that it is costly to complete the capital in Amaravati and it is flood-prone.
Farmers who donated lands for the capital have been agitating for the last 290 days demanding that Amaravati be made sole capital of the state. They have been urging Vijayamma to convince her son to keep the capital here. Many farmers who gave lands to the capital lost their lives. It is learnt that Vijayamma who came to know of these developments from the media, has visited Amaravati on the sly.
Will capital remain in Amaravati?
Analysts say given the present financial conditions, the government may not go ahead with its plan to shift the capital to Vizag. The government is facing severe financial constraints and is not in a position to even pay salaries and pensions. Moreover, several litigations are going on against the shifting in courts. Daily hearing will start soon on these cases. So, it is felt that there will not be any imminent shift of capital. The secret visit of Vijayamma under these circumstances assumes significance.
Will Vijayamma advise against shifting?
Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy announced in the Assembly that three capitals will be set up for the state for ‘balanced development’. But the government has now realized it is not so easy to dump the agreements entered into by the previous government with capital farmers. Soon after the 3 capitals announcement was made, farmers moved the courts. The High Court is going to hear various petitions on capital shifting on a daily basis.
Having realized the gravity of the situation, YSRCP leaders are not making any comments on the issue. In this backdrop, Vijayamma visited the capital region and enquired about the status of various construction projects. She personally checked the veracity of the argument that this region is not suitable for huge constructions and capital. It is to be seen whether she will advise her son to keep the capital in Amaravati or she will dismiss the capital as ‘graphics’ as her party leaders and ministers are doing.
Has Jagan himself sent his mother?
It is learnt that the Chief Minister Jagan himself sent his mother to visit Amaravati. Vijayamma and Sharmila made some serious comments against Amaravati during the 2019 electioneering. They alleged that not a single brick was laid and all claims of Chandrababu Naidu were just graphics. Hence, Vijayamma may not have visited Amaravati on her own without the permission of her son.
Jagan has already decided on three capitals. So, it can’t be expected that he would backtrack on the issue or Vijayamma dares to advise her son. Some people are saying that Vijayamma visited the capital only to assert that Naidu has done nothing and the lands there are unsuitable for the capital.
