Parliament has given its final approval to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, officially declaring Amaravati as the sole and permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh. The Rajya Sabha passed the bill through a voice vote, following the Lok Sabha’s clearance a day earlier. This move provides statutory backing to Amaravati as the state’s only capital starting from June 2, 2024, aiming to resolve the capital issue that arose post the 2014 bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan hailed this decision as a historic development that brings much-needed administrative clarity to Andhra Pradesh. The bill aims to put an end to the uncertainties and political fluctuations surrounding the capital matter, ruling out any future changes to Amaravati’s status or the revival of the previous three-capital model. This step is expected to pave the way for focused development and good governance in the greenfield capital city.
During the Rajya Sabha debate, Yerram Venkata Subba Reddy of the YSR Congress Party expressed opposition to the bill in its current form. He raised concerns about the inadequate compensation received by thousands of farmers who had given up their land for Amaravati. Reddy questioned the bill’s definition of “capital” and its basis for declaring Amaravati as the permanent capital.
Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu strongly defended the bill against the opposition’s claims. He highlighted the inconsistent stances taken by different parties on the capital issue over the years. Naidu criticized the previous government for its handling of the capital matter, emphasizing the NDA government’s full support for the redevelopment of Amaravati. The bill’s passage is viewed as a significant political and developmental win for the TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh, expected to bring legal certainty to the capital question and enable extensive infrastructure development in Amaravati.
