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Parliament Ends Decade-Long Confusion, Declares Amaravati Andhra's Permanent Capital

The Rajya Sabha debated a bill to legally establish Amaravati as the sole, permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh, ending a 12-year period of uncertainty. Union Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu criticized the previous government's three-capital policy for creating confusion and irresponsibility. Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury called the long delay a "national shame" but welcomed the bill as a victory for protesting farmers. The legislation, already passed by the Lok Sabha, amends the 2014 Reorganisation Act to prevent future changes to the capital's status.

Key Points: Amaravati Made Permanent Capital of Andhra Pradesh by Parliament

  • Bill grants statutory status to Amaravati
  • Ends years of capital confusion
  • Nullifies previous three-capital policy
  • Praises farmers' sacrifice
  • Passed with opposition support
2 min read

Rajya Sabha debates Bill to make Amaravati permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh

Rajya Sabha debates bill granting Amaravati sole capital status, ending 12 years of uncertainty post-state bifurcation. Bill passed with Congress support.

"If a person at the helm of state affairs makes irresponsible statements, what is going to be the future of the State? - Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu"

New Delhi, April 2

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday started debate on the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2026, which grants statutory status to Amaravati as the sole and permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh.

The bill, moved by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityananda Rai, was adopted amidst sloganeering by opposition members.

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu sharply criticised the opposition for adopting inconsistent stands on the capital issue. "If a person at the helm of state affairs makes irresponsible statements, what is going to be the future of the State?" he asked, referring to the previous YSRCP government's three-capital policy.

Naidu highlighted the confusion created over the years: "We are not able to tell where the capital of the State is if someone asks."

He accused the previous regime of being irresponsible and praised the NDA government for supporting the rebuilding of Amaravati.

The minister saluted the "hard work and sacrifice of farmers and women of Andhra Pradesh" who had fought for the capital.

Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury described the prolonged delay in settling the capital issue as "a statement of national shame" and questioned the "collective wisdom and intelligence of the House."

She said it had taken 12 years for Parliament to address this through proper procedure. However, she welcomed the bill, stating that the government had finally come to the House to declare Amaravati as the capital.

Chowdhury added that this was "the victory of the farmers who fought day and night for this."

The bill seeks to amend the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, by providing legal sanctity to Amaravati as the state's only capital, ending years of uncertainty following the 2014 bifurcation.

It effectively nullifies any future attempts to change the capital status.

The legislation, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on April 1 by voice vote with Congress support, aims to bring stability and clarity for development in the region. The NDA government has positioned the move as fulfilling long-pending aspirations of the people of Andhra Pradesh, particularly the farming community that had given up land for the capital city.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
This is a victory for the farmers who sacrificed their lands with a dream. I hope now the development picks up pace and they get proper compensation and benefits. The uncertainty was hurting the state's growth for too long.
R
Rahul R
While I agree Amaravati should be the capital, calling it a "national shame" is a bit much. Many states have had administrative shifts. The real shame is how politicians play with people's lives and investments for votes. Let's hope this bill actually leads to development on the ground.
A
Anjali F
Good step, but 12 years is too long. So much time and money lost due to political indecision. Now the focus should be on building world-class infrastructure and attracting investments to Amaravati. Jai Andhra Pradesh!
D
David E
Interesting to see the Congress supporting this bill. Shows how much the political landscape has changed since the bifurcation. Clarity on the capital is crucial for any business looking to invest in the state. This is a positive signal.
K
Kavya N
As someone from Visakhapatnam, I understand the logic of decentralisation, but the constant flip-flop was damaging. A single, permanent capital is needed for a clear identity. Hope the government also ensures balanced development across all regions.

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