The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Wednesday staged a bike rally and dharna in Amaravati, demanding that the Central Government immediately enact a comprehensive law in Parliament to officially recognise Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh.
The protest was organised ahead of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s scheduled visit to Amaravati on November 28 for the foundation ceremony of central bank offices.
The rally began at Undavalli Centre and passed through Penumaka, Krishnayapalem, Venkatapalem, and Seed Access Road before culminating at the CRDA head office in Rayapudi, where the activists held a demonstration. The party leaders later submitted representations to CRDA Commissioner Kannan Babu and to officials in the office of Municipal Administration Minister Narayana.
Addressing the gathering, CPI(M) State secretariat member Ch. Babu Rao accused the Centre of discrimination against Amaravati. He alleged that while ₹1 lakh crore is required for the capital’s development, the Centre has released only ₹1,500 crore over the past 11 years. The leaders demanded that the Union Government provide grants instead of loans and take responsibility for borrowings from institutions such as the World Bank and ADB, as provided under Section 94(3) of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.
They further questioned why banks extended loans to corporates and private universities in Amaravati but denied loans to farmers allotted plots in the capital region. The leaders urged the Union Finance Minister to make clear announcements on capital funding, Parliamentary legislation, bank lending, and the establishment of Central government offices.
The CPI(M) leaders also called for the speedy completion of Amaravati railway lines, full Central funding for the Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam metro projects, release of Smart City grants, and conduct of municipal elections in the capital region. They warned that if the Centre failed to respond, the party would intensify the agitation with large-scale public protests.
Published – November 26, 2025 09:05 pm IST
