Lok Sabha passes bill to recognise Amaravati as Andhra Pradesh capital
The Bill is now scheduled for discussion and passage in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, marking the final legislative step toward establishing Amaravati as the sole capital of the State.
By Newsmeter Network
Hyderabad: In a landmark development, the Government of India has passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after detailed deliberations, which will formally grant statutory recognition to Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh.
The Bill is now scheduled for discussion and passage in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, marking the final legislative step toward establishing Amaravati as the sole capital of the State.
Which parties were in favour of the Bill?
During the Lok Sabha proceedings, leaders representing the TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh strongly advocated for the Bill. Notably, MoS Rural Development and Communication Dr Chandrashekar Pemmasani, TDP MP Appalanaidu, BJP MP CM Ramesh, BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari and JSP MP Vallabhaneni Balashowry spoke in support of Amaravati as the capital.
In contrast, YSRCP MP Midhun Reddy opposed the Bill on behalf of the YSR Congress Party, following which YSRCP MPs staged a walkout from Parliament.
Beyond the NDA alliance, several other parties extended their support to the Bill, including the Indian National Congress (INC), Samajwadi Party (SP), Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) - reflecting broad political consensus across party lines in favour of Amaravati.
Minister Nara Lokesh will be present in New Delhi on Thursday to witness the Rajya Sabha proceedings. During his visit, he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, CP Radhakrishnan, to convey the gratitude of the people of Andhra Pradesh.
What does the new amendment state?
The proposed amendment to Section 5 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, replaces the earlier provision of ‘a new capital’ with ‘Amaravati shall be the new capital,’ thereby embedding Amaravati firmly within the statutory framework.
This legislative move follows the unanimous resolution passed by the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on March 28, 2026, enabling the Bill’s introduction in Parliament.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh said it views this development as a defining milestone in the State’s post-2014 journey, one that restores institutional clarity, strengthens governance, and paves the way for Amaravati to emerge as India’s youngest world-class greenfield capital city.
