Vijayawada: The movement demanding decentralised development under distributed capitals is swiftly gaining momentum in AP.
This comes in the background of pro-Amaravati farmers, backed mainly by TDP, continuing protests for past two years and recently intensifying their agitation. They conducted a padayatra to Tirupati for 44 days, which culminated into a big public meeting on Friday at Tirupati, giving a message to people that their demand for only one capital at Amaravati has gained strength.
The padayatra has forced people of Rayalaseema, North Andhra and coastal regions to think twice about the severe impact of centralised development at Amaravati. Not to lose out, they have started their movements for distributed capitals in Rayalaseema, north Andhra and coastal regions.
Medhavula Chaitanya Vedika, Vidyarthi Upadhyaya Medhavula Forum, Andhra Pradesh Abhivruddhi Porata Samithi, Uttarandhra Rashtriya Samithi, Aikya Dalita Mahanadu, Rayalaseema Medhavula Forum and other organisations are raising their voices against centralised development focused on Amaravati. They are demanding distributed capitals for decentralised development of all regions in the state.
Supporters of three capitals also held a big public meeting at Tirupati on Saturday seeking three capitals. Rayalaseema Rights Organisation leader B. Subramanyam Reddy said their movement is fast spreading in the state, mainly among students. He announced plans of a padayatra from Srikakulam or Srisailam to Amaravati in support of three capitals.
Uttarandhra Rashtriya Samithi president Raju Goud welcomed decentralised development saying North Andhra has been neglected for decades despite their support to Telugu Desam. He announced that they are going to conduct a Maha Padayatra in support of three capitals in the coming days.
Leaders of Vidyarthi Upadhyaya Medhavula Forum said centralised development in Hyderabad led to bifurcation of united Andhra Pradesh. If there is no distributed development, there could be further divisions of AP. Andhra Pradesh Abhivruddhi Porata Samithi leaders accused Amaravati farmers of trying to create disturbances in Rayalaseema area demanding development of only their region.
