TDP blocks bill to establish 3 capitals in AP Legislative

Amid pandemonium, the opposition TDP on Tuesday blocked in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council the tabling of a bill, intended to give shape to the state government's plan of having three capitals.

The Council was adjourned five times as the TDP, which is in majority in the 58-member Upper House, opposed the bill passed by the assembly late on Monday night, citing rules.

It moved a motion "disapproving the policy of the government" while ministers trooped into the Well asking the Chairman to take up the AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill, 2020 on a priority.

The Ministers also raised slogans from the Well as the stalemate continued till the evening with no breakthrough.

The bill seeks to pave the way for establishment of executive capital in Visakhapatnam, legislative in Amaravati and judicial capital in Kurnool, a move being strongly opposed by farmers of Amaravati region and the TDP.

It was passed by the assembly amid stiff opposition by the TDP and after suspension of 17 of its MLAs from the House for disrupting Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy's address on the legislation.

However, in an embarrassment to the government, the TDP managed to block its tabling in the Council on Tuesday as it gave a notice under Rule 71 and moved a motion "disapproving the policy of the government."
Senior minister Botsa Satyanarayana asked the Chairman not to use the Council for "political business."
Deputy Chief Minister Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose said, "We are pleading with you to reconsider the decision. This is not government policy, but a Bill."