New Delhi/Amaravati, Apr 2 (TNT): A day after the Lok Sabha passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 recognising Amaravati as the sole and permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh, the Rajya Sabha on Thursday approved the legislation, with the Congress extending support.
Except the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), which staged a walkout in protest, all other parties supported the Bill in both Houses.
The Upper House cleared it by voice vote after a brief discussion, ending years of uncertainty over the State’s capital.
Opposing the Bill in its “present form”, YSRCP MP Yerram Venkata Subba Reddy said it failed to address the concerns of about 29,000 farmers who had pooled nearly 34,000 acres for the Amaravati project without payment.
Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury termed the move delayed, saying it had taken 12 years to formally recognise Amaravati as Andhra Pradesh’s capital.
BJP member Paka Venkata Satyanarayana backed the Bill, highlighting public trust in Amaravati and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and noting that farmers had contributed around 30,000 acres under land pooling.
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sandeep Kumar Pathak also supported the legislation, while cautioning against “petty politics and policy confusion” that could undermine governance.
TDP MP Sana Sathish Babu described Amaravati as the “heartbeat of five crore people” of the State, while BRS MP Ravi Chandra Vaddiraju also extended support.
Meanwhile, in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu termed the passage of the Bill a “historic moment”, stating that the capital had now secured “irreversible legal status” through an Act of Parliament.
Naidu, along with his wife Nara Bhuvaneswari and farmers, participated in a Deepa Harathi ceremony at Uddandarayunipalem, where the foundation stone for the capital was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing the gathering, Naidu said the success of Amaravati would be “written in golden letters” in India’s history and that the sacrifices of farmers who gave their land would remain eternal.
The Chief Minister said the State had “reclaimed its capital” after overcoming several challenges and that Amaravati now had a permanent legal identity.
He also acknowledged the support of Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan during the agitation.
Naidu expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and leaders across parties who supported the Bill.
He described Amaravati as a symbol of Telugu pride and self-respect, adding that the Prime Minister is expected to visit again to inaugurate projects once construction is completed.
Criticising the opposition, particularly the YSR Congress Party, Naidu said they failed to support key resolutions on the capital in both Parliament and the State Assembly.
The Chief Minister later inspected the foundation plaque, performed puja and participated in the Deepa Harathi ceremony.
Ministers, public representatives and Amaravati farmers attended the event.
TNT KS
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