Parliament has passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha approving it today. The Lok Sabha has already passed a Bill, which amends the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. It accords statutory status to Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh. With the passage of the Bill, Amaravati will now be the permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh. After passing the Bill, with a voice vote, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan congratulated the people of Andhra Pradesh on the new capital of Andhra Pradesh.
Making the statement in the House, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said that under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, a new capital was to be established for Andhra Pradesh following bifurcation. Calling the proposed legislation on Andhra Pradesh’s capital a historic moment for the state and the Telugu community worldwide, he said the Bill goes far beyond an administrative decision and represents a restoration of pride, faith and democratic confidence for over five crore people of Andhra Pradesh
He noted that the Andhra Pradesh government had already issued a notification on April 23, 2016, designating Amaravati as the capital location. The Minister further informed the House that the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, on March 28, 2026, passed a resolution requesting the government to amend Section 5(2) to provide constitutional recognition to Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh.
The Minister said the amendment has been proposed to give effect to the state assembly’s resolution and to ensure legal clarity regarding the capital issue. Calling it a historic occasion, the minister congratulated the people of Andhra Pradesh, saying Andhra Pradesh would move forward rapidly on the path of development and contribute meaningfully to the vision of Viksit Bharat under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
Earlier, participating in the debate, Union Minister K Rammohan Naidu said that legislation provides long-awaited clarity to the state and symbolises a renewed trust in the country’s political leadership and democratic institutions. Describing the occasion as deeply emotional, he said the issue was not merely about identifying a capital city but about redefining the future and self-respect of Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation. The Minister said Andhra Pradesh was not opposed to bifurcation but strongly objected to the manner in which it was carried out.
He pointed out that, unlike the creation of states such as Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand under former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which did not witness any turmoil, the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh left the state without a capital, burdened with a revenue deficit of 16,000 crore rupees, and uncertain about its future.
Earlier, initiating the discussion, Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury launched a sharp attack during the debate on the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Amendment Bill, calling the 12-year delay in formally settling Amaravati as the state capital a historic failure of both Parliament and the Centre. She said a commitment was made on the floor of Parliament, but the process had been allowed to drift for over a decade and left the state in prolonged uncertainty. Backing Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh, the Congress MP said the decision was not a favour from the government but the result of a long and painful struggle by Amaravati’s farmers and citizens. She described the move as a victory for the farmers of Amaravati, and credited them for sustaining protests for years despite police pressure and alleged harassment under the previous state government
Yerram Venkata Subba Reddy, YSRCP, Andhra Pradesh, opposed the Bill in its present form because it does not address the problems faced by the thousands of farmers who gave away their land and are yet to receive compensation. He questioned the definition of capital and the basis of the Bill to make Amaravati the capital of Andhra Pradesh. Supporting the Bill, TDP MP Masthan Rao Yadav Beedha said this bill is not just about the capital, but it touches the very soul and identity of the people of Andhra Pradesh.
