CM Naidu celebrates legal recognition of Amaravati as capital

ANdhra Pradesh chief government minister N Chandrababu Naidu on th united farmers of Amaravati neighborhood to fete the passage of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in Parliament granting legal backing to Amaravati as the state capital.“Amaravati’s status as the capital is now firmly secured, beyond doubt, beyond debate, and beyond change. Amaravati is unstoppable, the heart of Andhra Pradesh and a future pride of the nation,” Naidu said in a post on X.CM Naidu, accompanied by his wife Nara Bhuvaneshwari, senior ministers, JanaSena Party and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, went to Uddandarayunipalem village, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone on October 23, 2015, for the capital city.Naidu and his wife offered special prayers at the site where sacred soil and holy water collected during the Amaravati foundation event had been preserved. Vedic scholars blessed the couple on the occasion.In a symbolic gesture, the chief minister prostrated before the platform where the soil and water were kept. The couple later participated in a ‘Deepa Aarathi’ ritual.Several prominent leaders including Ministers P Narayana, Nadendla Manohar, Kinjarapu Atchannaidu and BJP state president P V N Madhav took part in the programme.Described the passage of the bill granting legal status to Amaravati as a “historic and defining moment” for democracy and public will, Naidu said that the development marks a permanent milestone in the state’s history.Naidu said Amaravati’s history was inseparable from the sacrifices of nearly 29,000 farmers who voluntarily pooled over 33,000 acres of land for the capital. “This is not just a political achievement, but a people’s victory and a symbol of Telugu self-respect,” he said.He thanked the Union government led by Prime Minister Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, along with political parties across the country, for supporting the bill in Parliament. He noted that, except for the YSR Congress Party, all parties had extended their backing to Amaravati.The chief minister also recalled the prolonged agitation by farmers and women in the capital region, which lasted over 1,600 days. He highlighted their resilience in opposing attempts to “weaken” Amaravati and credited their unity for securing the capital’s future.Reaffirming his government’s commitment, Naidu said Amaravati would emerge as an “unstoppable and world-class capital,” promising to adopt the best global development models. He also assured balanced development across all regions of the state.Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, state IT minister Nara Lokesh said the passage of the bill in Parliament was a major victory for the people of Andhra Pradesh. “In the last 20 months, a lot of confusion and panic was created among farmers, making them feel they would have to struggle again. Now this confusion is cleared,” he said.He further stressed that the development would bring a sense of security and fast-track Amaravati’s growth. “All key projects - roads, secretariat, assembly, and high court, have been restarted, and we are committed to completing them within the promised timeline,” he said.Lokesh appealed to all sections of people to celebrate the occasion by lighting lamps in front of their residences and pose selfies with their lamps.