NEW DELHI: Parliament on Thursday passed a bill seeking to recognise Amaravati as the sole and permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh with the Rajya Sabha giving its nod to it with a voice vote, and all political parties except the YSRCP supporting the proposed legislation.
Replying to the debate on the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Upper House, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the AP Legislative Assembly on March 28 passed a resolution requesting the Union Government to grant statutory status to Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh by amending the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014. The resolution requested for amendment to the Act, incorporating Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh with retrospective effect from June 2, 2024.
Congratulating the people of Andhra Pradesh for getting legal sanctity for Amaravati as the State capital, he hoped that AP will reach new heights of progress to contribute towards achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Speaking on the bill, Sanjay Kumar Jha of Janata Dal (United) said Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar are the most important and trusted allies of the National Democratic Alliance right from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government to the present Narendra Modi-led regime. Supporting the bill, he said Amaravati would emerge as the best capital of the country in the coming years due to the visionary leadership of Naidu.
Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury attacked the BJP-led NDA government for bringing the bill to make Amaravati the permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh after 12 long years. “It is a shame that we are discussing the AP Reorganisation Bill, which should have been discussed 12 years ago. It is actually a statement of national shame and the so called collective wisdom and intelligence of this House. It took 12 years to fulfil a commitment made on the floor of this House,” she said.
God will bless AP people with new capital: CPR
Telugu Desam Party MP Beeda Masthan Rao said the bill was not just legislation but a moral promise that our farmers’ sacrifices would not be forgotten. “That our State’s identity will be strong. Our children’s future will be insured,” he said.
After a lot of planning, Amaravati was chosen for its history, location and potential as the State capital. “We will provide facilities like Singapore. We are creating opportunities for the people of Andhra Pradesh,” he added.
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu called it a “very emotional moment” for him.
“This redefines the pride, this redefines the faith, this redefines the the consciousness of the country it has on its democracy, on the leadership and the whole political system also. And this is something which has much stronger repercussions than looking at it as simply or merely regarding a subject of a State and its capital.”
YSRCP MP YV Subba Reddy opposed the bill in its ‘present form’, questioning its intent, legality, and impact on farmers and the State’s finances.
He emphasised that the term ‘capital’ is mentioned only for the country in the Constitution, and that even the Union government.
After the passage of the bill, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan said, “Lord Venkateswara will bless all the people of AP with their new capital.”
When some of the members said God will bless all of us, he said God will bless all of us. But I am praying for their well-being because they are going to get a good capital. This is a special prayer, nothing else. You will always be blessed by Lord Venkateswara, don’t worry about it.”