Lok Sabha passes Bill recognising Amaravati as sole capital of Andhra Pradesh

Lok Sabha passes a bill declaring Amaravati as the permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh, ensuring future stability for the state.

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday (April 1, 2026) passed a Bill to recognise Amaravati as the sole and permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh, with the principal Opposition party Congress extending support to the legislation. The YSR Congress Party – which had earlier proposed a three-capital plan for the State – walked out in protest.

The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was passed by a voice vote after a nearly two-hour debate. It will now be sent to the Rajya Sabha, and then to the President for assent.

Once enacted, it will give statutory backing to Amaravati as the State’s capital with effect from June 2, 2024, effectively foreclosing any future attempt to alter the decision.

Replying to the debate, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai thanked members for supporting a resolution adopted by the Andhra Pradesh Assembly seeking legal recognition for Amaravati as the capital.

Initiating the discussion, Congress member Manickam Tagore said his party supported the Bill but reiterated the demand for special category status for the State. “Let Amaravati develop like Bengaluru, Chennai or Hyderabad. At the same time, cities such as Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, and Kurnool must also grow,” he said.

During his tenure as Chief Minister, YSRCP leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, had proposed a three-capital model for the State — administrative capital at Visakhapatnam, legislative capital at Amaravati, and judicial capital at Kurnool. After returning to power in 2024, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reversed the plan and reiterated that Amaravati would be the State’s sole capital.