The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a Bill to recognise Amaravati as the sole and permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh, with the Congress, the BJP and the ruling TDP backing the move, while the YSR Congress Party opposed it over concerns around farmer compensation.

The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed by voice vote, seeking to amend the 2014 law to formally designate Amaravati as the state’s capital and prevent any future changes to its status.

Broad political support, with conditions

Initiating the debate, Congress MP Manickam Tagore said the party supported the Bill but reiterated its demand for special category status for Andhra Pradesh.

“Let Amaravati develop like Bengaluru, Chennai or Hyderabad… We support Amaravati as the permanent capital,” he said.

TDP MP and Union Minister Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani urged the House to pass the Bill unanimously, saying it would provide long-term clarity on the capital issue.

Backing the legislation, BJP MP C.M. Ramesh said the move would end uncertainty.

“This is the first time… a bill has been brought to Parliament to declare a particular place as the capital of a state,” he said, adding that “no one will be able to play with the capital” going forward.

YSRCP opposes over farmer, funding concerns

The YSR Congress Party, however, opposed the Bill, raising concerns over pending commitments to farmers who had given up land for the capital project.

YSRCP MP P.V. Midhun Reddy said around 34,000 acres had been acquired with promises of developed plots, housing and educational benefits, but “nothing has been given so far.”

“Give a specific date, a specific timeline… otherwise there is no meaning,” he said, urging that these provisions be incorporated into the law.

He also questioned the financial viability of building the capital.

“You want to develop a capital bigger than Kolkata but there is no clarity on funding,” he said.

Legal clarity on capital status

The Bill seeks to amend Section 5 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, which had designated Hyderabad as a common capital for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for up to 10 years following bifurcation.

With that period ending, the amendment provides statutory recognition to Amaravati as Andhra Pradesh’s capital with effect from June 2, 2024.

It also gives effect to a resolution passed by the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on March 28, seeking clarity on the capital issue.

The legislation effectively closes the chapter on the earlier proposal by the previous YSRCP government to develop three capitals in the state — a move that had triggered political and legal disputes.

(With inputs from PTI.)