Parliament clears bill to make Amaravati Andhra Pradesh’s permanent capital

Pic/AFP

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, reported news agency PTI.

The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which will scuttle any future bid to alter the decision of making Amaravati the capital of the southern state was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, reported PTI.

Replying to the debate on the bill in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said Andhra Pradesh is getting a new capital in Amaravati and gave his best wishes to the state.

"We hope that Andhra Pradesh touches new heights of development and plays a meaningful role in fulfilling the dream and resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in achieving 'Viksit Bharat'," said the minister while terming it a historic occasion.

Supporting the bill, Masthan Rao Yadav Beedha of TDP said after a lot of planning, Amaravati was chosen for its history, location and potential.

Several other members, including TDP member and Minister of Civil Aviation K Rammohan Naidu also supported the bill.

Andhra Education Minister Nara Lokesh thanks Central government

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education and IT, Nara Lokesh, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership and commitment to ensuring the passage of the bill.

He acknowledged the Centre's pivotal role in bringing together support from across political parties in favour of Andhra Pradesh.

Immediately after the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha, Minister Lokesh rushed to New Delhi and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament. On behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh, he personally conveyed his thanks for the Centre's steadfast support in granting legal backing to Amaravati.

According to TDP, this development is being seen as a defining moment for Andhra Pradesh, reaffirming confidence in Amaravati as the state's sole and permanent capital while signalling strong coordination between the state and the Centre.

Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu termed the passage of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha as a "historic and deeply emotional moment," welcoming the recognition of Amaravati as the state's sole capital.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)