Amaravati Declared AP’s Sole Capital by Lok Sabha
New Delhi/Hyderabad, April 2, 2026 — In a significant development that resolves years of political uncertainty and fulfills long-standing aspirations, the Lok Sabha on April 1, 2026, passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, formally recognizing Amaravati as the sole and permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh. The bill, passed by voice vote after a nearly two-hour debate, provides statutory backing to Amaravati’s status with effect from June 2, 2024 — the date when Hyderabad ceased to be the joint capital following the 10-year transitional period outlined in the 2014 Reorganisation Act.
The legislation amends Section 5 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, by substituting the phrase “there shall be a new capital” with “and Amaravati shall be the new capital.” This change eliminates ambiguity and prevents any future attempts to alter the capital’s status, effectively ending debates over alternative models.
Background: From Bifurcation to Political Flip-Flops
The story traces back to the 2014 bifurcation of undivided Andhra Pradesh, which created Telangana with Hyderabad as its capital. The Reorganisation Act designated Hyderabad as the common capital for both states for a maximum of 10 years, giving the residual Andhra Pradesh time to develop its own. Hyderabad’s role as a joint capital officially ended on June 2, 2024, leaving Andhra Pradesh without a legally specified permanent capital under central law.
In 2015, under then-Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the state government identified Amaravati — a greenfield site on the banks of the Krishna River in Guntur district — as the new capital. The ambitious project involved massive land pooling by local farmers, who surrendered thousands of acres with the promise of developed plots in return, envisioning a world-class, sustainable capital city inspired by global models like Singapore.
Construction began with great momentum, attracting international interest and investments. However, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, defeated the TDP in the 2019 assembly elections and shifted course dramatically. Jagan’s government proposed a three-capitals model for “decentralized development”:
- Amaravati as the legislative capital (for the Assembly).
- Visakhapatnam (Vizag) as the executive/administrative capital.
- Kurnool as the judicial capital.
This move sparked massive protests from Amaravati farmers and locals, who felt betrayed after their land contributions. The proposal faced legal challenges, including in the Supreme Court, and stalled development in Amaravati for nearly five years (2019–2024). Critics argued it was politically motivated rather than a genuine decentralization effort.
Revival Under Naidu’s Return
The TDP-led NDA alliance, with Chandrababu Naidu returning as Chief Minister after the 2024 elections, promptly reversed the three-capitals plan and recommitted to Amaravati as the single, unified capital. On March 28, 2026, the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution urging the Centre to grant legal recognition to Amaravati by amending the Reorganisation Act. This paved the way for the 2026 Amendment Bill.
The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai. It received support from the BJP, TDP, and the principal opposition Congress, reflecting broad consensus on providing clarity for governance, investment, and infrastructure. The YSRCP members walked out in protest, continuing their opposition to a single capital at Amaravati.
Emotional Moments and Political Reactions
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu described the passage as a “historic moment” and a “moment of honour” for the people of the state, emphasizing cross-party unity in Parliament. He highlighted the resilience of farmers who made sacrifices for the capital project. Naidu called for statewide celebrations to mark the occasion.
His son and IT & HRD Minister Nara Lokesh was visibly emotional during the debate, with reports of him tearing up as the bill progressed. Lokesh termed it a “defining moment” and “historic” for Andhra Pradesh.
Union Minister and TDP leader Pemmasani hailed it as a “watershed moment” that would revive investor confidence and unlock stalled projects worth thousands of crores in Amaravati.
What’s Next and Implications
The bill now moves to the Rajya Sabha for approval, followed by presidential assent. Once enacted, it will give Amaravati full legal sanctity as the state’s only capital, accelerating development of the capital region, infrastructure projects, and economic investments that were hampered by prolonged uncertainty.
For farmers who pooled land under the land-pooling scheme, this brings closure and hope for promised returns. The decision is expected to boost confidence among investors, who had been wary due to the policy flip-flops.
Amaravati’s revival aligns with Naidu’s vision of transforming it into a modern, vibrant capital. While YSRCP leaders have opposed the move and may continue political resistance, the central legislation aims to provide irreversible statutory clarity.
This development marks the end of a decade-long saga since bifurcation, shifting focus from political debates to actual development in Amaravati — fulfilling the dreams of those who envisioned a new, prosperous capital for the people of Andhra Pradesh
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