Angry AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today slammed the media for its “baseless and divergent” reports on the much-touted new capital of the State. He also directed his party leaders not to make contradictory statements on the proposed new capital for the State.
When scribes asked the Chief Minister to give his viewpoint or comment on the new capital at the TDLP office after the House was adjourned to Monday, Chandrababu lost his cool and expressed serious anguish. “Why should I comment on the diversified reports appearing on the new Capital which reflect your own ideas. Some one writes the capital is Donakonda and other writes it will be Vinukonda and some other writes it could be Macherla and so on. Such divergent reports are not good”, he said. He also asked mediapersons whether they have seen the Sivramakrishnan Committee Report, which was submitted to the Union Home Ministry on Thursday. “I have not yet received a copy of the Sivaramakrishnan Report on the new capital. How can I speak on the issue without going through the details”, he asked.
Interestingly, Agriculture Minister Pattipati Pulla Rao said the new capital could be located between Vijayawada and Guntur. Naidu said, “We will take a decision on new capital which is acceptable to all. In view of the Sivaramakrishnan Committee recommendations submitted to the Centre, State Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said the Committee was appointed by the Centre to give suggestions and advise it on the issue of new capital for the State. Ultimately the elected government would take a final decision on the issue, he said, adding that the Centre would take a decision after holding discussions with the State government on the issue.
As Sivaramakrishnan Committee had suggested various options for bifurcation of the State, it might have suggested different options on the new capital for residuary AP. The government would accept one of the suggestions of the Sivaramakrishnan Committee whichever the place suitable and acceptable to the people, the minister said. Yanamala said if the Opposition parties have any objection over the place for new capital, they can approach the Sivaramakrishnan Committee as the State government was not bound to consider their requests.
Talking to mediapersons in the assembly during budget session, he opined that this place was suitable and Chandrababu will decide on the issue. However, he maintained that no minister should talk on the new capital which has now become an issue. The Chief Minister will come out with clarity on the new Capital after receiving a copy from the Sivaramakrishnan Committee Report.
It may be recalled that the Municipal Administration Minister Narayana had said the committee asked that agriculture lands cannot be used for the purpose and did not oppose the capital to be between the two cities. Earlier he kicked up the controversy by stating that the capital could be between Vijayawada and Guntur.
When it snowballed into a major controversy, Narayana, who is the Chairman of New Capital Committee, changed tack saying that the Chief Minister will take a final call. (NSS)