Andhra Pradesh: The "Court to Temple", "Maha Padayatra" has started by Amaravati farmers, demanding the continuation of Amravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh. The Maha padayatra has been organised by the Amravati Joint Action Committee (JAC).
The participants, who started the 'Maha padayatra near Andhra Pradesh High Court, will walk 10-15 km daily for the next 45 days. The expedition will cover 70 significant villages in Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, and Chittoor districts and end on December 17 in Tirupati.
The walkathon was attended by a large number of farmers, women, and leaders of various political parties. Telangana Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury came to the rally and expressed support for the farmers.
Farmers and women offered prayers before beginning the walkathon, and an all-faith prayer service was also held.
The Padayatra was supported by leaders of all political parties except the YSRCP. Along with parties like TDP, Congress, CPI, CPM, Aam Aadmi, public and farmers' unions have expressed solidarity.
Former AP Minister Devineni Uma, TDP leaders Pratipati Pulla Rao, Tenali Sravankumar, Mareddy Srinivasreddy and Gonuguntla Koteshwara Rao were present on the occasion.TDP leaders assured that their support would continue till Amravati continues to be the sole capital.
After coming to power in 2019, the YSRCP government had decided to shift administrative capital to Visakhapatnam and judicial capital to Kurnool while retaining Amaravati as only the legislative capital.