The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council has been abolished and revived throughout its turbulent history

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council is the upper house of the state's bicameral legislature. Since its inception in 1958, it has experienced two distinct periods of existence, marked by political maneuvering, legislative deadlocks, and multiple attempts at total abolition. It remains a central, if contested, feature of the state's governance.

The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council, or Vidhan Parishad, was first established on 1 July 1958, following a 1956 resolution by the state's lower house. Inaugurated by President Rajendra Prasad on 8 July 1958, the council was designed to provide a bicameral structure to the state's parliamentary system. However, by the 1980s, the body faced significant criticism. Opponents argued that upper houses were unnecessary, unrepresentative, and a drain on the state budget, while also causing delays in the legislative process. In 1985, following a resolution by the Vidhan Sabha, the Indian Parliament officially abolished the council.

The path to revival was long and fraught with political friction. In 1990, Chief Minister Marri Chenna Reddy initiated a move to restore the council, but the necessary legislation stalled in the Lok Sabha. It was not until 2004 that a new resolution was passed, leading to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Act of 2005. The council was reconstituted on 30 March 2007 and inaugurated by Governor Rameshwar Thakur on 2 April 2007. The body currently comprises 58 seats, with members elected through various constituencies, including local authorities, graduates, teachers, and members of the Legislative Assembly.

The council's existence has remained a point of contention. In 2020, the ruling YSR Congress Party passed a resolution to abolish the council again, aiming to bypass opposition-led delays on capital decentralization bills. The resolution was eventually withdrawn after the ruling party secured a majority in the council, allowing their legislation to proceed. Today, the council continues to function, with its day-to-day affairs managed by an elected chairman rather than a speaker, reflecting the ongoing tension between executive goals and the checks and balances inherent in a bicameral system.

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