It’s legal now!

Lok Sabha clears Amaravati Capital bill

kiranmai tutika I AMARAVATI

In a landmark development, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday approved a crucial Bill granting statutory status to Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh, marking a decisive turning point in the state’s prolonged capital controversy. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai introduced the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the House, which was passed after an extensive debate. The announcement was made by the presiding panel Speaker Tenneti Krishna Prasad.

The legislation, which will now be taken up in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, seeks to amend the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 by explicitly replacing the phrase “there shall be a new capital” with “Amaravati shall be the new capital.” The amendment will be deemed effective from June 2, 2024, thereby providing retrospective legal backing. With this, Amaravati is set to gain unambiguous legal status as the state’s only capital, effectively closing the chapter on competing capital proposals.

The Bill witnessed nearly two hours of debate, drawing support from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jana Sena Party, and the Congress. In contrast, YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MPs staged a walkout during the discussion, reiterating their opposition. Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar described the legislation as “built on the tears and sacrifices of Amaravati farmers,” while BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari asserted that Amaravati would remain the permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh.

The passage of the Bill represents the culmination of a political and administrative journey that began in 2014 under the TDP government led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati was envisioned as a world-class greenfield capital, with over 29,000 farmers voluntarily pooling around 54,000 acres of land under an innovative land pooling scheme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, symbolising national backing for the project.

However, the capital narrative took a dramatic turn after the YSRCP came to power in 2019 under Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. The government proposed a controversial three capitals model, Visakhapatnam as the executive capital, Amaravati as the legislative capital, and Kurnool as the judicial capital, triggering widespread protests by Amaravati farmers and legal challenges. The Andhra Pradesh High Court, in its 2022 ruling, directed the state to develop Amaravati as the capital, reinforcing legal expectations.

The return of the TDP-led NDA government in 2024 revived the Amaravati project with renewed political momentum. The state Assembly passed a resolution on March 28, 2026, urging the Centre to amend the parent Act, paving the way for the Bill’s introduction in Parliament.

Reacting to the Lok Sabha approval, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu termed it a historic moment that restored the self-respect of Andhra people and honoured the sacrifices of farmers. “The uncertainty surrounding the capital is now permanently resolved. Amaravati stands as a symbol of Andhra pride,” he said, reaffirming his vision to develop it into a global city. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their support.

Minister Nara Lokesh, who closely followed the proceedings, described the day as a victory for five crore people of Andhra Pradesh. Calling Amaravati an immortal capital, he said the parliamentary debate showcased its historical, cultural, and developmental significance at the national level.

Meanwhile, YSRCP leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy renewed his criticism, branding Amaravati an economic burden and alleging large-scale financial irregularities. He proposed an alternative ‘MAVIGUN’ model, a development corridor linking Machilipatnam, Vijayawada, and Guntur, as a cost-effective capital alternative. 

However, with the Bill clearing the Lok Sabha, the legislative momentum appears firmly in favour of Amaravati. If approved by the Rajya Sabha and assented to by the President, the amendment will bring a definitive legal closure to the capital dispute, anchoring Amaravati as Andhra Pradesh’s undisputed and permanent capital.

Kishan extends congratulations

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy participating in the debate on the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Amendment Bill 2026 on Wednesday extended congratulations to the people of Andhra Pradesh on Amaravati’s emergence as the capital and expressed hope for its world class development, while stressing that both states should grow together like brothers. Post bifurcation, he said the intention was for both Telugu states to progress competitively, but it was unfortunate that people in Andhra Pradesh were left without a capital for years.

Telangana being looted under ‘RR Tax’,

Kishan Reddy asserted in Parliament that the very objectives for which Telangana was formed remain unfulfilled, alleging that the current Congress government has reduced the aspirations of the Telangana movement to ridicule. He further accused the previous BRS regime of neglecting the state for a decade and claimed that the present Congress administration is “looting Telangana in the name of RR Tax,” urging people to remain vigilant and aware.

Participating in the debate on the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Amendment Bill 2026, 

which seeks to confirm Amaravati as the permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh, the Minister highlighted the sacrifices behind Telangana's formation. He recalled that Telangana was achieved after a prolonged struggle, pointing out that hundreds of statehood activists lost their lives in 1969 and over a thousand people sacrificed their lives during the final phase of the movement.

Highlighting development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said both states are witnessing rapid progress with the expansion of national highways and modernization of 42 railway stations.He noted that while Andhra Pradesh has multiple airports, Telangana initially had only one, blaming earlier Congress governments for neglect.

He also alleged that during the BRS regime, proposals for new airports in regions like Warangal and Adilabad did not receive necessary land support. Additionally, he said Congress failed to develop railways and national highways, leaving Telangana backward and triggering the statehood movement.