The ongoing “Nyayasthanam to Devasthanam” padayatra taken by Amaravati farmers from Thullur to Tirupati, demanding that the capital city of Andhra Pradesh be retained at Amaravati has been getting good response with the pro-Telugu Desam Party media giving it an extensive coverage.
The TDP leadership is ensuring that all along the padayatra, the party cadres mobilise people in good numbers to give a boost to the Amaravati capital demand.
Thousands of people, backed by the TDP, are coming forward to extend their solidarity with the walking farmers.
This is leading to law and order issues at some places and the police are forced to impose strict vigilance to see that the padayatra doesn’t get political colour.
On Thursday, the police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse large number of crowds following the farmers in the padayatra.
Apparently realising the political intentions of the TDP in promoting Amaravati-Tirupati padayatra, the ruling YSR Congress party is said to be contemplating a counter padayatra in north-coastal Andhra in support of three capitals.
Some voluntary organisations, obviously with the support of the YSRC, are planning to take out a padayatra from Srikakulam to Viskahapatnam demanding that the Jagan government go ahead with its three capitals’ formation at the earliest.
YSRC general secretary and MP V Vijay Sai Reddy is said to have extended solidarity with these organisations and assured them all help in their padayatra.
It is expected to cover all the assembly constituencies in the three north coastal districts. The padayatra will cover each constituency in five days.
The roadmap for the proposed padayatra for three capitals is now being prepared and once the routes are finalised, the date for the commencement of padayatra would be announced.
“In all probability, it will start from the day when Jagan made the announcement on three capitals, that is December 17,” sources said.
