HYDERABAD: AP’s Leader of Opposition and YSRC chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy, who had initially thought of cornering the State Government on the location of the new capital city, finally welcomed the Government’s decision, with the ruling party ensuring that there was no discussion on the issue in the Assembly before the announcement by the Chief Minister.
Responding to the announcement that the new capital would be around Vijayawada, Jagan said, “We wholeheartedly welcome the decision to locate the capital city around Vijayawada. We have no objection to where the capital is located; all we object to is the way the decision was made, not allowing any discussion before making the statement.” The young leader went on to question, “Is it democracy? The capital city should be accessible to the common man in every manner. Land pooling for capital would pave the way for Naya Zamindars. However, we want the state united, hence we accept the decision, which was made unilaterally.”
Jagan, who had earlier stated that there was no meaning in having a discussion after the announcement by the Chief Minister, and it was not right for the ruling party to bulldoze the opposition on the issue, said what they all along had feared had happened.
Political observers opine Jagan did not have any other go but to accept the decision of the government over the capital. Had he opposed, it would have harmed his party’s interests in Krishna and Guntur districts.