In a decisive move signaling the return to a singular capital vision, N. Chandrababu Naidu, the leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), declared Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh. This announcement came just a day before his official swearing-in ceremony as the Chief Minister of the state.
Addressing a joint meeting of legislators from the TDP, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Janasena Party, where he was unanimously elected as the leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Naidu emphasized the unity behind the decision. “In our government, there will be no games under the guise of three capitals. Our capital is Amaravati. Amaravati is the capital,” asserted Naidu.
This declaration marks a significant reversal from the contentious proposal introduced by the previous administration, led by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, which aimed to establish three capitals for the state, with Kurnool designated as the judicial capital, Visakhapatnam as the executive capital, and Amaravati as the legislative capital. Naidu, who served as the first Chief Minister of bifurcated Andhra Pradesh from 2014 to 2019, had originally championed Amaravati as the capital city.
However, the ambitious plans for Amaravati encountered a setback in 2019 following the electoral victory of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by Reddy. The proposed three-capital model was introduced, diverting from Naidu’s vision and casting uncertainty over the fate of Amaravati.
The recent electoral triumph of the NDA alliance, comprising the TDP, BJP, and Janasena, in the simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections, marked a resounding mandate with 164 assembly seats and 21 Lok Sabha seats.
Naidu’s decision to reinstate Amaravati as the sole capital underscores a commitment to continuity and stability in governance, reflecting a return to his original vision for the state’s development. This move is expected to have far-reaching implications for the future trajectory of Andhra Pradesh’s urban planning and economic growth.
As the state embarks on this renewed path, stakeholders anticipate a resurgence of interest and investment in Amaravati’s development. With the backing of the newly formed government, the focus is set to shift towards realizing the full potential of Amaravati as a vibrant and sustainable capital city, symbolizing the aspirations of the people of Andhra Pradesh.
