HYDERABAD: The capital of Andhra Pradesh should be located in Rayalaseema as per the 1937 Sribagh Pact, and water facilities should be improved, industries, IT, health and other sectors should be developed in the region, said A Madhusudhan Reddy, member of Rayalaseema Rajadani Sadhana Samithi, after a roundtable conference organised by the Samithi here on Sunday.
Questioning why Sribagh Pact is not being implemented now, convener of the Samithi, P Laxman Reddy, retired High Court judge, said that if the pact is not implemented, it might lead to another bifurcation. “If the state capital is formed in Vijayawada, fertile lands have to be killed,” said Reddy, suggesting vacant government lands in regions like Rayalaseema or Prakasam can be used for building smart cities.
However, CPI (M) politbureau member BV Raghavulu stated that the demand should not be limited to formation of capital in Rayalaseema, but industries, IT sector, water and other resources should also be demanded. “If new state has to develop, a comprehensive package should be announced. If capital is formed in one region, then it should be announced what will be offered to other regions,” said Raghavulu. He added that decisions about formation of capital and establishing universities are political decisions and results can be seen only if the decisions are effected. “More than reasons, pressure works,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, YSRC leader MV Mysoora Reddy, suggested that delegates at the conference who are not representing any political party, to come together in suggesting one particular place to form the capital.