Andhra Pradesh government said to Andhra Pradesh High Court that Amravati to be the only capital of Andhra Pradesh and three capital bill to be repealed

In an attempt to change in its stand on the proposed three capitals, the Andhra Pradesh government on Monday decided to revoke the AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions and CRDA Repeal Acts of 2020.

A resolution to that effect was passed in the Cabinet that was urgently convened shortly after the third day's proceedings began in the Legislative Assembly.

The same was then informed to the High Court by Advocate General S. Sriram, who said the Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy himself would lend clarity on the issue by making a statement in the Assembly.

The YSRCP government brought the Bill to have three capitals to the State -- executive capital at Visakhapatnam, judicial capital at Kurnool and legislative capital at Amaravati. The same was opposed by Opposition parties and also the farmers from the Amaravati region who gave their lands for the capital.

A batch of petitions were filed by Amaravati region farmers and the daily hearing of the case is being held by the High Court presently.

In a sensational decision, Andhra Pradesh state government has decided to withdraw the most-talked about and controversial ‘3 Capitals Bill’ – AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of all Regions, 2020. The bill was originally proposed to establish 3 capitals in the state namely Visakhaptanam, Amaravati and Kurnool which will serve as Executive Capital, Legislative Capital and Judicial Capital respectively.

Today, AP state cabinet has called for an emergency meeting to discuss on this and has taken the crucial move. CM Jagan is likely to make a key statement regarding this in AP state Assembly.

Minister Kodali Nani spoke to the media after the cabinet meeting. Responding to the 3 Capitals Bill and government’s decision, Nani said, “Technically a lot of things are happening. Courts have been moved on the issue. The Cabinet has met to discuss it. We’ll make a decision accordingly. The CM's decision is final on this and we (cabinet) are with the CM.”

It can be noted that the AP government passed two crucial bills in 2020 – AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of all Regions (3 Capitals Bill) and CRDA Repeal. AP State Advocate General has informed the three-bench High Court that both these bills are withdrawn and the state cabinet has taken a decision to withdraw its previous decision on these bills.

Ever since the Decentralisation Bill and CRDA Repeal were passed and got assent from the State Governor, the farmers of Amaravati have been protesting against the state government’s move. Farmers have sacrificed lands voluntarily to the previous government upon trust on government and for the development of the state. They have moved the High court and took to streets for their rightful demand.

Farmers sat on hunger strikes and multiple protests to put pressure on the state government. Farmers have been relentlessly waging war against the Decentralisation Bill. Opposition TDP, Janasena and BJP have extended their support to Amaravati farmers.