Chandrababu Naidu not to take a chance with stars, holds back AP capital announcement

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will on Thursday announce in the Assembly on where he plans to locate the state's new capital city.

After five hours of discussions, the AP Cabinet had on Monday decided to build the new capital around Vijayawada city. The Cabinet brushed aside the Sivaramakrishnan committee report, which was submitted to the Centre two days back.

Naidu’s plan to make the announcement on Tuesday was dropped at last-minute as he was advised today is not an "auspicious day." As Dashami is on Thursday, it is seen as more auspicious.

Reportedly, Naidu’s close aide and MP from Rajahmundry, Murali Mohan advised him that it is “Ashtami” on Tuesday, which is considered to be inauspicious and an important announcement should not be made on such a day.

Astrologers said that Ashtami coincided with Tuesday and both are considered to be inauspicious. Popular astrologer JUB Sastry said that no auspicious activities are carried out on Ashtami and Navami.

“Also, this Ashtami coincided with Tuesday ‘mangalavaram’ which again is considered to be inauspicious. As per astrology, it is not advisable to take up any good work on Tuesday (mangalavaram) as planet Mars rules over it,” said Sastry.

Ironically, it was ‘Amavasya’ on March 1, when President of India signed on the AP Reorganisation Act. Even the swearing in ceremony of Chandrababu Naidu took place after sunset.

Naidu has planned to develop three mega cities and other small cities around the capital.

Naidu had also allowed ministers to tell the media off the record that the capital would come up around Vijayawada. However, some ministers said the capital was likely to come up between Vijayawada and Guntur, as had been announced previously by Mr Naidu, while a few located it at Nuzivid.

The Cabinet decided to constitute a sub-committee for pooling land for the construction of the capital and also to negotiate with farmers to acquire the land. The Cabinet decided to acquire the land at a ratio of 60:40.

The sub-committee comprises Mr Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, Mr P. Narayana, Mr K. Atchennaidu, Mr Prattipati Pulla Rao and Mr Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao. Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishna Murthy apparently expressed his unwillingness to be part of the sub committee.

On the decentralisation of administration, ministers said that it would not be possible to establish the various directorates in different districts in the state. They said department secretaries and heads of the departments should be in one place, at the state capital, to run the administration smoothly.