In what is a shot in the arm for the YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh, the Centre has clarified that “it is for each state to decide its capital within its territory.” 

This was stated in a written reply by Union minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai in reply to a question by Telugu Desam MP Jaydev Galla. This makes it clear that New Delhi will have no role in putting hurdles in Jaganmohan Reddy’s desire to shift the administrative capital from Amaravati to Visakhapatnam. 

This will deflate the TDP that was hoping the NDA will not play ball with Jagan. In fact, Jaydev Galla in his question had asked if “the Centre would advise the state government not to resort to such decisions which not only vitiated the investment climate but also cause loss to thousands of farmers who gave their land for the construction of capital city Amaravati”.

The TDP so far has backed protests by farmers in villages in Amaravati against the decision and managed to block the Bill that proposed decentralisation in the Legislative Council. An upset Jagan subsequently proposed abolishing the Council.

What this will mean is that if the Andhra Pradesh High court gives its nod, Jagan can start the process of working out of Vizag at the earliest.