Ever since Vivek Agnihotri’s ‘Kashmir Files’ captured the Indian and NRI (Non Resident Indian) imagination, turning it into a successful one-of-a-kind cult movie, film producers and directors have been keeping an eye out for this genre of film making – a docu-cinema format that suits certain subjects of public interest and impact. One such subject that is now being made into a ‘Kashmir Files’ type of movie, is the fight-for-justice of Andhra’s farmers, for the proposed capital city of Amaravathi in the Guntur-Vijayawada region.
The farmers of the region are caught in a quagmire of childish vengeance politics played by current Andhra Pradesh CM and leader of the YSRCP party, Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is refusing to allow the completion of the new capital city which was already under construction, when the previous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was in power in the 2014-2019 term.
Previous CM and leader of the TDP party, Chandrababu Naidu had envisioned a unique type of “land sharing” scheme with the farmers of the region by requesting them to “donate” their farm lands to the state for a larger public cause, particularly for the purpose of building a modern, world class, new capital city for the residual Andhra Pradesh state which was partitioned in 2014 from the larger state, comprising the regions of Andhra and Telangana. While Telangana walked away with the well established capital city of Hyderabad, the residual state of Andhra Pradesh was left with the task of building a new capital city and administrative infrastructure.
News of the proposed film “Amaravathi Files”, highlighting the previous Andhra government’s scheme of a land-sharing deal with the farmers, assuring them of good rental returns from the newly built government infrastructure, commercial buildings and upper-end residential complexes, has the Andhra people eagerly awaiting its release. The film’s announcement comes in time, for Chandrababu Naidu’s release from prison on October 31. Naidu was arrested on September 9, by his political opponent and current CM, Jagan Reddy’s government, on alleged charges of financial irregularities when he had been head of the previous government between 2014-2019.
Jagan Reddy has refused to continue the construction and completion of Amaravathi. A vast majority of Andhra’s electorate sees Jagan’s decision on the capital city as a case of petty vengeance politics, with many people questioning his decision to propose moving the capital from its current location to Vishakapatnam, where he and his top aides have acquired large tracts of valuable real estate.
The man behind the proposed “Amaravathi Files” film is Telugu film maker, Bhanu Shankar who is well known for his previous works, potraying realistic Indian social themes and causes, with an intended message for society. His films ‘Raju Maharaju,’ ‘Ardhanaari,’ and ‘RDX Love’ have acquired a niche status among Telugu audiences from both Andhra and Telangana. The film will shed light on :
– The details of the previous TDP government’s landmark deal with the farmers in return for land-pooling / land acquisition.
– The farmers community’s three year struggle for the rights to their lands, given up in good faith, under the previously agreed-upon scheme with the then state government.
– The cases they have filed both in the Andhra Pradesh High Court and the Supreme Court.
– YSRCP leader Jagan Reddy’s refusal to complete the development of an already under-way city, a decision disapproved even by Jagan’s own family members including his mother, who had reportedly advised him against betraying the farmers’ trust and to honour the previous government’s terms and conditions for the capital city.
Both the Andhra High Court as well as the Supreme Court have thus far, showed sympathy for the farmers’ cause and have indicated a clear reluctance in approving Jagan Reddy’s plan of moving the current capital in addition to his proposal of a tripartite-capital consisting of Amaravathi, Vishakapatnam and Kurnool as the state’s three proposed capitals for the Legislative, Executive and Judiciary respectively.
The announcement of a facts-based, pro-farmer film for the masses, seeking to provide information and clarity on a sensitive, much debated subject, comes just months ahead of the state’s assembly elections, scheduled to be held before June of next year and may prove to be an advantage for the TDP.
Chandrababu Naidu (CBN to many, in political circles) was the subject of a dramatic arrest on September 9 on allegations of corruption in the form of kickbacks in what was termed the ‘Andhra Pradesh Skill Develeopment Scam’. Since his arrest almost two months ago, CBN’s political nemesis & current chief minister, Jagan Reddy has not missed an opportunity to pressure and utilize Andhra’s Anti Corruption Bureau (the ACB) to file more allegations of minor or major “corruption” charges against the former chief minister and TDP leader. Most people in Andhra Pradesh view his recents acts as an extreme case of vendetta politics and an indication of political nervousness, months ahead of the state’s elections in early 2024.
Thus far, the police department has not been able to unearth any significant evidence for the alleged corruption. Rumour has it that Jagan was hoping to have the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI ) involved for more credibility but he has not been able to do so because of a lack of firm proof, on the alleged acts of misappropriation of funds by Naidu, as claimed by Jagan Reddy.
Recent surveys and well-attended political rallies of the TDP party have indicated positive trends in favour of the TDP for the 2024 state elections. With Pawan Kalyan’s JSP party pledging support to the TDP, the party’s chances of winning next year’s elections look promising. This makes Jagan Reddy nervous as he is a leader, currently out on bail, for more than thirty cases of fraud, embezzlement and other criminal acts, filed by the CBI and jailed based on evidence, back in 2012.
Not to be deterred by CBN’s absence while he was lodged in jail, his wife Bhuvaneshwari (a daughter of the immensely popular Telugu actor, the late A.P chief minister and founder of the TDP party, N.T. Rama Rao / NTR) accompanied by her daughter-in-law, is holding meetings and appealing to the common people for voting the TDP back to power on the planks of Truth, Justice and Development, in an electoral fight portrayed to be a “vote for good against evil”. To that end, Naidu’s son went on record, comparing Jagan Reddy to Ravanasura, during the recent Vijaya Dasami festivities.
CBN has been granted bail for four weeks during which time, the veteran leader who is in his seventies, is expected to undergo a cataract procedure for his eyes, at the well known LV Prasad Eye Hospital in Hyderabad. During his stay in Hyderabad, Telangana’s ruling BRS party and CM K Chandrasekar Rao are expected to convey their sympathies and well wishes to the TDP leader – a timely, calculative, politically savvy move, hoping to gain favour with the TDP’s supporters in the state, considering Telangana goes to the polls in a few weeks.
Political analysts see KCR’s attempt to gain favour with a section of the urban, educated youth and older citizens in Telangana, who still view the TDP’s administrative reign in the larger, undivided state of Andhra Pradesh, as a relatively good, progressive, pro education, pro-employment, pro-technology period in the state, when Naidu had been the Chief Minister and brought in new software companies, various other businesses and educational institutions to the state, resulting in an increase of employment opportunities in the state as well as overall progress.
Notably, there were a handful of high octane, employee-led rallies in Hyderabad, Bangalore and smaller urban centres in Telangana, showcasing strong support for CBN and the TDP party. A few demonstrations and vigils have been held in his support in the U.S as well with many NRI Telugu people from both Telugu states, offering financial and logistical aid for the rallies in Indian cities. Word is, the BRS is trying to ensure the support of this segment (the educated and well placed) of the Telugu population, in the upcoming Nov 30 Telangana state elections.
For now, the TDP leadership and cadre seem to be invigorated by the release of their leader on a four week interim bail, based on a health-related appeal filed by his lawyers. There appears to be a fresh lease of energy, enthusiasm and hope within the party’s rank and file. Public sympathy for a senior leader, arrested in an unexpected and dramatic manner, on dubious, trumped up, unproven charges of alleged corruption, appears to be growing among the general public. The sympathy factor was evident in the massive turnout of common, working class people in anticipation of CBN’s release. Large crowds waited by the roadside for several hours, to greet Naidu, welcome him and wish him well, all along the entire stretch of his road travel, from the Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry, East Godavai district) Central Jail to his home in the Guntur-Vijayawada region (a distance of around 175 KM).
Naidu is expected to report back to the court on November 28. The court has directed him not to engage with the media or indulge in political activities during his bail period.
Shivani is a freelance writer based out of Vijayawada.
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