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NEW DELHI: On Thursday, the Parliament successfully passed the AP Reorganisation Bill, with the Rajya Sabha endorsing the legislation that grants official status to Amaravati as the permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu hailed this as a “historic moment for the state,” while his son and state IT Minister, Nara Lokesh, characterized it as a “homecoming” for the people, emphasizing that the legal recognition would significantly boost private sector investment in the new capital.
The bill was approved through a voice vote, with all political parties supporting it except for members of the YSR Congress, who staged a walkout. “On behalf of the entire House and the country, we wish the people of Andhra Pradesh to have their well-built capital, Amaravati,” stated Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan. Nara Lokesh observed the entire debate from the visitor’s gallery.
In a message posted on X, Naidu expressed, “This is a defining moment for Andhra Pradesh. With the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 passed unanimously in both Houses, the collective aspirations of our people have resonated at the national level.” Similarly, Nara Lokesh added, “The darkness overshadowing Amaravati has lifted… Legitimacy has arrived for the people’s capital, Amaravati. Let us celebrate this victory by lighting lamps outside our homes at 7 PM tonight. Our capital is our pride.”
Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu addressed the hardships faced by farmers who voluntarily donated land for the capital. He pointed out that post-bifurcation, Andhra Pradesh was left without a capital. “Amaravati is thriving today thanks to the selflessness of farmers and women who courageously safeguarded the capital during crises. Their sacrifices are the true foundation of this city, and we are eternally grateful,” he said.
Some opposition members, while backing the bill, advised the TDP to fully leverage their influential position within the NDA government.
In response to concerns about a potential reversal of the legislation by a future government, Nara Lokesh clarified, “Bills can be amended; it requires a majority. However, I believe this will remain unchanged. Everyone has endorsed Amaravati as the single and permanent capital.”
He further noted, “This is our fourth effort to establish a capital. It’s a homecoming, and it will surely expedite Amaravati’s development.” He added that the state experienced “severe injustice” after its bifurcation from Telangana in 2014 and was left without essential infrastructure, including a capital, secretariat, or high court.
Highlighting the contributions of local farmers, he stated that nearly 35,000 acres were pooled in just 58 days to create a new capital beside the Krishna River. He criticized the former YSRCP government, led by Jagan Mohan Reddy, for “squandering” opportunities, even though he had promised in the 2019 elections that Amaravati would remain the sole capital. Nara Lokesh labeled the previous administration’s three-capital proposal as a “globally failed model.”
The TDP General Secretary stated, “He (Jagan Mohan Reddy) specifically mentioned that he built a house there and would never relocate the capital. The people of Amaravati believed him.” He added that the NDA campaigned for the 2024 assembly elections centered on the principle of one-state-one-capital, winning 164 out of 175 seats. Notably, people in Visakhapatnam exhibited overwhelming support where the “proposed executive capital” was intended.
Addressing concerns regarding development speed, he revealed that projects worth approximately ₹50,000 crore have been tendered, with the central government allocating nearly ₹18,000 crore to the state since 2024. He assured that the secretariat, assembly, high court, and major roads would be finalized within two years, ahead of the Prime Minister’s inauguration. “Phase one will be completed by the end of our current term, no doubts about that,” he affirmed.
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