Nara Lokesh thanks PM Modi, Amit Shah for Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill

New Delhi: After the passage of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in Parliament, Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for steering the legislation through Parliament. Earlier in the day, he met prime minister Modi.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Nara Lokesh said that the Centre’s backing had been decisive in resolving what he described as a prolonged period of uncertainty for farmers who had surrendered land for the capital project. “A lot of confusion and panic was created among them, making them feel they would have to struggle again. This was not right,” he said.

Parliament on Thursday passed the Bill settling a years-long dispute over the state’s capital by formally designating Amaravati as its sole and permanent seat of government. The bill cleared both Houses, drawing expressions of relief and celebration from the Telugu Desam Party-led state government.

Lokesh took a pointed swipe at the YSRCP, which walked out of both Houses during the vote. “Despite a clear mandate from the people of Andhra Pradesh, the party that secured just 6 per cent of the seats chose to oppose the bill,” he said.

The YSRCP, which had backed a three-capital model during its tenure, did not immediately respond.

The minister said construction of key infrastructure including the Secretariat, Assembly, High Court, and arterial roads had been resumed and would be completed within the committed timeline. He also flagged expectations of a surge in private investment and job creation in the region.

Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated in 2014, and has struggled with fiscal constraints since, inheriting a deficit of Rs 16,000 crore at the time of its formation.