Amaravati's Capital Status Sealed: Farmers Celebrate Historic Parliamentary Bill Approval
The tiny village of Uddandarayunipalem in Guntur district, which hosted Amaravati's foundation stone ceremony nearly twelve years ago, transformed into a massive celebration ground on Thursday. Hundreds of jubilant farmers from across the capital region flooded the village following Parliament's decisive approval of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, which officially recognizes Amaravati as the state's capital.
Decade of Uncertainty Finally Ends
For the agricultural community, this moment represents the culmination of a prolonged and emotional struggle. Farmers described the parliamentary approval as a historic victory that finally resolves years of anxiety over the capital's status. Immediately after the Rajya Sabha cleared the bill, celebrations erupted across all twenty-nine capital villages, with farmers lighting firecrackers and organizing spontaneous rallies throughout the region.
The farmers' journey has been marked by significant sacrifice and determination. Nearly 29,000 farmers voluntarily participated in the innovative Land Pooling Scheme (LPS) initiated by the then Chandrababu Naidu-led government. Instead of accepting monetary compensation, these farmers parted with their agricultural lands in exchange for returnable plots, placing their faith in Amaravati's development to benefit future generations.
Political Struggle and Farmer Resistance
Their hopes faced a serious challenge when the subsequent YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government introduced a controversial three-capital plan, proposing to distribute capital functions across multiple locations. This proposal triggered widespread protests and aggressive agitation from the farming community.
For five challenging years, farmers organized rallies, staged dharnas, and even faced police lathicharge while defending Amaravati's claim as the sole capital. Their persistent resistance finally found resolution after the Naidu-led NDA government returned to power and ensured the bill's passage through Parliament.
"It is a moment of pride for all of us," said Ramineni Venkatramaiah, a farmer from Rayapudi village. "We gave our lands not just for personal gain, but to ensure the state has a capital after bifurcation. This decision validates our sacrifice and vision for Andhra Pradesh's future."
Statewide Celebrations and Political Reactions
Responding to a call by IT minister and TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh, farmers across the capital region lit lamps in their homes and shared celebratory visuals on social media platforms. The hashtag "AP Thanks India" trended prominently on X (formerly Twitter), reflecting the widespread enthusiasm.
Municipal administration minister P Narayana, who visited Uddandarayunipalem to join the celebrations, thanked the central government for granting Amaravati its legal status. "The struggle of capital farmers has finally borne fruit," Narayana stated. "Amaravati's status is now irreversible and legally protected." He criticized the previous administration for backtracking on earlier promises regarding the capital's location.
Former minister Kanna Lakshminarayana emphasized that Amaravati was originally chosen through consensus across political parties. "The people have given a clear verdict through the 2024 elections," he noted, referencing the electorate's rejection of the previous regime. "Amaravati is, and will remain, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. The uncertainty sown by the three-capital proposal has been decisively resolved."
The celebrations across the capital region marked what farmers described as the triumphant conclusion of their long, determined struggle—a struggle that began with land contributions and culminated in parliamentary recognition of their vision for Andhra Pradesh's future.
