HC gives nod for maha padayatra, YSRCP says it is firm on trifurcation of capital

Vijayawada/Visakhapatnam Even as the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday gave a 'conditional' permission to the Amaravati Parirakshana Samiti to undertake a maha padayatra for 60 days from Amravati to famous Sun Temple at Arasavalli in Srikakulam district from September 12 for continuation of single capital, the ruling YSR Congress Party has threatened to greet it with protests by its rank and file.

The High Court in its order said not more than 600 people should take part in the padayatra and the organisers should submit their identity cards in advance to the police before embarking on the programme. It also directed the organisers to apply for permission from the police for holding a public meeting to mark the culmination of the padayatra in Srikakulam district.

Interestingly, BJP has said that it supported the continuation of Amaravati as a single capital and backed the call for maha padayatra. Party national spokesperson and MP G.V.L. Narasimha Rao said their party is in favour of a single capital for Andhra Pradesh.

After AP DGP K.V. Rajendra Nath Reddy rejected the letter for permission to take out the padayatra to press for continuation of Amaravati as a single capital, the high court after hearing arguments from both sides ruled that the padayatra should be allowed as per the request of the farmers by following certain conditions. Steps should be taken in such a way that it should not lead to any law and order problem.

Besides TDP, CPI, CPI (M), Jana Sena and Congress have extended their support to the maha padayatra by the farmers of Amaravati region.

The DGP went on record saying that the organisers of the padayatra have not given any details on the number of expected participants and as there is scope for participation by a large number of people including women, it might lead to breach of law and order situation going by the past experience.

The maha padayatra will pass through 12 districts viz Guntur, Bapatla, Krishna, Eluru, West Godavari, East Godavari, Ambedkar Konaseema, Kakinada, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam. YSRCP spokesman and Minister for Industries and Commerce Gudivada Amarnath said in Visakhapatnam that the State Government is firm on trifurcation of capital as part of the decision for decentralised development.

While stating that the government will continue the legislative capital at Amaravati, the Minister said a decision has been taken to set up an executive capital at Visakhapatnam and a judicial capital at Kurnool. As the padayatra will go against the aspirations of the people of North Andhra, he said YSRCP cadres will protest against the undertaking of the padayatra opposing development of Visakhapatnam as the executive capital.