AP:Caste-based politics is expected to play a prominent role in deciding the Seemandhra capital.
One pointer towards this is that politicians from different parties are gravitating towards seats in Vijayawada for the next general elections.
Krishna and Guntur districts are dominated by leaders from the Kamma community, while the Reddys have the upper hand in Rayalaseema.
“If the Reddy-dominated YSRC or the Congress comes to rule after the elections, there would be no chance of Vijayawada-Guntur becoming the capital, as they would prefer cities in Rayalaseema like Ongole, Tirupati or even Kurnool again,” said a YSRC leader.
The AP Chamber of Commerce and Industry Association, that is dominated by the Kamma community, along with participants of the 1970s Jai Andhra movement and owners of educational institutions, has begun lobbying for the Vijayawada-Tenali-Guntur region as the capital.
Wednesday’s meeting between association heads and Union minister D. Purandeswari and her husband has only served to strengthen reports that members of the community are pushing for Vijayawada as the capital.
“The Congress government with its unscientific steps has left Seemandhra simmering. In future similar situations will rise between the Seema and Andhra regions for the capital. Caste politics will play a major role in picking the capital, said a political leader.
“But if the capital is chosen unscientifically, people face severe problems, he said. Way back when Andhra state was divided from Madras, leaders from the Reddy community opposed Vijayawada as the capital and opted for Kurnool from the Rayalaseema region.
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