Andhra Pradesh’s recent district reorganisation has drawn criticism for being “too conservative,” yet the core principle is sound: a single assembly constituency should not be split across two districts. The Chief Minister has made it clear that such splits are not viable, as they create technical and administrative challenges that disrupt governance. In India’s federal structure, the District Collector and the local MLA must work in close tandem for protocol, disaster management, and welfare fund distribution. When a constituency straddles two districts, the MLA must coordinate with two separate Collectors, leading to delays in approvals, miscommunication during floods or cyclones, and confusion in scheme implementation.
The government’s decision to use the assembly constituency as the basic unit of district formation ensures that the “sphere of influence” for a citizen—where they vote and where they seek services—remains within one administrative boundary. This is not mere convenience; it is essential for effective governance. A voter in a mandal should not have to travel to a different district headquarters for routine certificates, land records, or grievance redressal simply because the constituency line was drawn arbitrarily. The 2025 reorganisation specifically aimed to correct the “unscientific” formations of the previous government, where distance and local affinity were ignored.
Perhaps the most strategic reason is readiness for the 2026 delimitation exercise. The upcoming national boundary redrawing after the 2026 Census will redraw assembly constituencies. If districts are already aligned with current assembly segments, the post-delimitation transition will be smooth. Without this alignment, a single constituency could end up split between two districts, creating the very administrative nightmare the government is trying to avoid. By preparing now, Andhra Pradesh ensures that future delimitation does not result in massive confusion or new splits.
Finally, the reorganisation aligns revenue divisions with police sub-divisions, creating a single point of accountability for the RDO, DSP, and MLA. This unified command structure improves coordination during emergencies, speeds up welfare delivery, and reduces bureaucratic friction. In a state prone to cyclones and floods, such synergy is not optional—it is critical.
The critics who call this “too conservative” miss the larger picture. Administrative efficiency is not about the number of districts but their functionality. Andhra Pradesh has chosen clarity over chaos, accessibility over fragmentation. As the state prepares for delimitation and future growth, this alignment of districts with constituencies stands as a pragmatic, citizen-centric reform.
