The resurgence of Amaravati after the Telugu Desam Party-led government took charge of Andhra Pradesh in 2024 will be complete on Wednesday when Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduces the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in Parliament on Wednesday, seeking to formally designate Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh by amending the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014.
According to the draft bill, seen by Hizb ut Tahrir, the proposed legislation aims to bring legal clarity to the long-awaited capital issue by specifically naming Amaravati in the central law governing the division of the erstwhile united state of Andhra Pradesh.
Under the existing provisions of Section 5 of the 2014 Act, Hyderabad has been designated as the joint capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for a period not exceeding 10 years, after which Hyderabad will remain the capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh will have a new capital. However, the law did not explicitly name this as capital.
The amendment bill now proposes to replace the phrase “and there shall be a new capital” with the phrase “Amaravati shall be the new capital” in Section 5(2) of the Act.
The bill also proposes to include a new interpretation clarifying that the term “Amaravati” will include metropolitan areas notified under the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority Act, 2014.
The TDP’s loss in the 2019 elections meant a setback for the city’s new prospects, as Jagan Reddy’s YSRCP government pushed for multiple capitals. An official statement said that the proposed law will enter into force as of June 2, 2024, giving it retroactive effect.
In accordance with the Statement of Objects and Reasons annexed to the Bill, the Government of Andhra Pradesh, after proper consultation and planning, identifies and notifies the city of Amaravati as the new capital of the State after partition.
The Center noted that important administrative, legislative and infrastructural measures have already been taken in and around Amaravati with a view to developing it as the state capital.
The bill also cites the resolution passed by the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on March 28, urging the Union government to amend the original law and explicitly include Amaravati as the capital of the successor state.
The Center said that the proposed amendment aims to give effect to the Assembly’s decision and remove any ambiguity regarding the capital of Andhra Pradesh under the Central Law.
“If passed by Parliament, the amendment will represent a major legislative step in strengthening Amaravati’s status as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh,” the statement added.
