Hyderabad ceased it’s joint capital status after June 2, ten years after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh was carried out. It will now remain as a capital of the state of Telangana only. 

Hyderabad, once the capital of undivided Andhra Pradesh, had assumed it’s role of acting as the common capital for both, the state of Andhra Pradesh and the newly formed state of Telangana, in 2014 as per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. 

joint capital
Image Source: Centre for Good Governance

Joint Capital: The Complex History and Future of Hyderabad as the Shared Capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

Telangana was given statehood on June 2, 2014, ten years ago. 

The division of Andhra Pradesh had been a result of several factors of historical, political and administrative significance.

Telangana had formerly been a part of the princely state of Hyderabad and has a very distinct cultural identity, independent to that of the Andhra Pradesh collective.

In the States Reorganisation Act of 1955, Telangana merged with a united Andhra state— itself carved out of a historical Madras state. The general perception this merger resulted in was a widespread belief that Telangana was being neglected in terms of economical relief and that despite their natural resources, they were lagging behind in infrastructure, education and healthcare. 

Political movements arose from this sentiment, demanding either a separate state or improvement in handling the region’s development needs. The Telangana Praja Samithi formed in the late 1960s and later, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, played a key role in mobilising public support for statehood. 

All of these factors led to the establishment of the state of Telangana. However, the previous acting capital of Hyderabad was shared between the two territories.

“On and from the appointed date (June 2), Hyderabad in the existing state of Andhra Pradesh, shall be the common capital of the State of Telangana and the State of Andhra Pradesh for such period not exceeding ten years,” the AP Reorganisation Act declared. 

“After expiry of the period referred to in sub-section (1), Hyderabad shall be the capital of the State of Telangana and there shall be a new capital for the State of Andhra Pradesh.” 

The chief minister of Telangana, A Revanth Reddy had given instructions to state officials to take over buildings like the Lake View government guest house in Hyderabad that was given to Andhra Pradesh for a period of 10 years. 

Despite the bifurcation, however, many issues still remain unresolved between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

These issues were to be brought up and discussed by the Telangana government at a cabinet meeting but the Election Commission had not given it a green in light of the model of conduct for Lok Sabha polls as the rationale would be that discussing and potentially deciding on significant issues during the MCC period could be construed as an attempt to influence voters or provide an unfair advantage to the ruling party in Telangana.  

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