R’seema ‘roars’ for decentralisation

PNS | Vijayawada

A thunderous roar was sounded in Rayalaseema as thousands made a clarion call to make Kurnool the Judicial capital of Andhra Pradesh. In a massive show of strength, thousands gathered at the STBC College grounds in Kurnool to lend their support to ‘Rayalaseema Garjana’ meeting organised by the non-political JAC (Joint Action Committee) which is fighting to amend the historical injustice done to southern Andhra.

Present at the meeting were members of JAC including convenor Vijay Kumar Reddy and several top leaders of YSRCP including Minister Peddireddy, Buggana Rajendranath Reddy, Amjad Basha, Jayaram, Usha Sri Charan and several MLAs of the region.

“The decision to make Kurnool the Judicial capital of Andhra Pradesh is the need of the hour. Rayalaseema has always been given a cold shoulder. All promises made to develop the region have remained unfulfilled and that is why it is imperative to build the Judicial capital here to put an end to all these issues,” said JAC president Vijay Kumar Reddy while addressing the crowd.

Present at the event were Ministers Buggana Rajendranath Reddy and Pedireddy Ramchandra Reddy slammed TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu for depriving the Rayalaseema region of growth opportunities. They both asked Chandrababu Naidu to clear his stance on setting up a High Court in Kurnool.‘We dare Naidu to come out in the open and say that he doesn’t want a High Court here,’ they said.

The ministers then elaborated on how the YSRC government had built national highways worth Rs 7,500 crore and also set up a Law University in the region.’ They reiterated how CM Jagan wants to develop all the regions from Srikakulam to Chittoor. “Taking a cue from Siva Ramakrishna Committee, Sri Krishna Committee, and Gentleman’s Agreement, CM Jagan is determined to decentralise the administration for overall development,” said Buggana Rajendranath.

Calling Chandrababu Naidu Rayalaseema’s traitor, Minister Peddireddy Ramchandra Reddy said, “Chandrababu Naidu, who was the Chief Minister for 14 years, failed to develop any other region except Hyderabad.

Can he mention one thing that he did in Rayalaseema to ensure development and employment in this area?”The comments were made amid a chorus of slogans like ‘Kurnool: AP’s judicial capital and decentralised development’, giving a huge impetus to the YSRCP government’s three-capital push.

Along with the members of the non-political JAC, intellectuals, advocates, women, and students turned up in large numbers to display their support for the ‘people’s cause.’ The public at the rally collectively pitched for the implementation of the Sribagh pact that seeks to build a High Court in Kurnool, thereby ensuring overall development and decentralisation.

The visuals of the massive crowd at the event prove the growing resolve among locals to fight for the righteous demands of Rayalaseema which have been neglected for decades by previous governments. Sympathisers of the three capitals expressed that they were happy that their cries were finally being heard.

It is important to recall that close to two months ago, an event of similar grandeur was organised at Visakhapatnam where thousands participated with zeal and splendour seeking to build the ‘City Of Destiny’ Visakhapatnam as the executive capital of Andhra Pradesh. Days later, Rayalaseema Mahasabha in Tirupati organised on October 29 was an equally successful event.

Since the beginning, the YSRCP government, led by CM Jagan Mohan Reddy, has lent its full support to the cause of the three capitals as they believe that it will give a fillip to the development of neglected regions of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema.