The State of Andhra Pradesh in India has finally announced its new capital after a long and contentious debate. The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, announced on Tuesday that Visakhapatnam will be the new capital of the state. This announcement marks a significant shift from the previous plans to develop Amaravati as the capital city, which were scrapped.
The decision to establish a new capital for Andhra Pradesh comes nine years after the state of Telangana was carved out of its territory and given Hyderabad as its capital. At an event in Delhi, Chief Minister Reddy made the announcement and invited investors to attend a global summit in Visakhapatnam in March. He also stated that he would be moving to Visakhapatnam in the coming months.
The identity of the new capital has been the source of social, legal, economic, and political friction for several years. In 2015, then-Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had declared Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh, but five years later, a proposal for three capital cities was floated. Under that scheme, Amaravati would serve as the legislative center of power, Kurnool would be the judicial capital, and Visakhapatnam would be the executive capital.
However, the Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled against the plan to have three capitals and directed the government to develop Amaravati. The court stated that the legislature lacked the competence to make such decisions. In November, the state repealed the law that intended to establish three capital cities and promised a better proposal. But in a twist, the Supreme Court stayed that judgment, noting that courts are not governments and that the High Court had overstepped its limits.
Amid the ongoing debate over the selection of a new capital, Amaravati also became the center of a land scam, which was leveled by the ruling YSR Congress against the Telugu Desam Party, its rival and former ruling outfit.
In conclusion, the announcement of Visakhapatnam as the new capital of Andhra Pradesh has brought an end to the long and contentious debate over the state’s capital. The government has invited investors to attend a global summit in Visakhapatnam in March, which will provide an opportunity for the state to showcase its business potential. The shift to a new capital is a significant milestone for Andhra Pradesh, and it will be interesting to see how this development impacts the state’s future growth and prosperity.