Andhra Pradesh HC extends freeze on Jagan's three capital move till September 21

In a major impediment to Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy’s plan to establish a three-capital structure in Andhra Pradesh, the state high court has extended its status quo orders barring any such move till September 21.

The Supreme Court had, on Wednesday, declined to examine the YSRCP government’s special leave petition challenging the high court’s earlier order freezing any development on its three-capital plans.

On Thursday, the Andhra Pradesh High Court resumed hearing of about 70 petitions from the local farmers, NGOs, and public representatives which challenged the implementation of the two legislations — one stripping the Amaravati region of its sole capital status and other to set up three capitals for Andhra Pradesh — the executive at Visakhapatnam, legislative capital at Amaravati and judiciary at Kurnool.

The petitioners contested that the three capitals violate the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014.

A three-judge bench contemplated hearing of the matter on a day-to-day basis from September 21. The court gave the government time till September 11 to file counter-affidavits while the petitioners can submit objections till September 17.

The Reddy government had on July 31 notified the Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions act, 2020 and another one repealing the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority Act, 2014 following governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan’s assent.

The much contentious blueprint is being opposed by the Opposition TDP and other parties.

The Amaravati locals, especially the region’s farmers, who parted with about 33,000 acres of their farmlands for a mega, world-class capital as planned by former chief minister Chandrababu Naidu are in an agitation mode since December 17 when Reddy first announced his three capital idea.

The Save Amaravati protests which recently completed 250 days are on.