Jagan to meet PM on Feb 12 over 'three capitals' issue

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will reach New Delhi on Wednesday for an important meeting with PM Narendra Modi in the backdrop of ongoing political developments in the state. According to the CM's Office, the Chief Minister will fly to New Delhi at 12.45 pm soon after the state Cabinet meeting and hold a meeting with the Prime Minister from 4.10 pm to 6 pm.

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is rushing to New Delhi on Wednesday for a crucial meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the backdrop of ongoing political developments in the state.

According to the CM's Office, the Chief Minister will fly to New Delhi at 12.45 pm soon after the state Cabinet meeting and hold a meeting with the Prime Minister from 4.10 pm to 6 pm.

"We have been trying for the PM's appointment for some time now and suddenly we were informed today about the meeting tomorrow," sources in the CMO said.

The "three capitals" issue apart, the abolition of the state Legislative Council will be top on Jagan's agenda for his discussion with Modi, the sources said.

It may be recalled that the Chief Minister's idea of having three capitals for the state kicked up a political storm in AP and also triggered an agitation by farmers of the
current capital region Amaravati, who have been staunchly opposing the relocation of the capital.

With the Legislative Council, where the opposition TDP is in a majority, blocking the relevant Bill for having three capitals, the YSR Congress government passed a resolution in
the Legislative Assembly seeking abolition of the Upper House of the state Legislature.

Since the Centre has to enact enabling legislation in Parliament for the abolition of the Council, the Chief Minister is said to be keen on taking up the issue with the Prime Minister
for "expeditious action".

The Chief Minister is also expected to explain to the Prime Minister his government's plans to "decentralize the administration" as such, particularly moving the seat of power
the state Secretariat to port city Visakhapatnam.

The Centre's help and support hold the key for the Chief Minister's plans to fructify, more so with regard to the shifting of the High Court from Amaravati to Kurnool, in accordance with a 1950s agreement.

These apart, the usual subjects like special category status to AP, the expeditious release of funds for the Polavaram multipurpose project and the revenue deficit grant and other Central funds for the cash-starved state will be on the Chief Ministers agenda, the sources added.

(PTI REPORT)