Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu continues to create confusion among the public with his ever-changing dialogue, which often lacks any real connection to the truth. This discussion has gained traction lately as Naidu claims to have achieved “forty victories” in just twenty months. However, he has failed to clarify how many of the 150 promises made in the joint manifesto of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Jana Sena have actually been fulfilled, while he continues to boast about these supposed successes.
In an ironic twist, local media outlets such as Eenadu have echoed Naidu’s claims, suggesting that the public should believe in the achievements he has mentioned. During a speech in the assembly, Governor Najeeb Jung revealed that poor families received a cash transfer of Rs. 33,000 crores annually, yet the Chief Minister had promised a total of Rs. 1.5 lakh crores during the election campaign, without offering any explanation regarding this discrepancy.
Naidu also claimed to have supported over 67.27 lakh students under the “Mother’s Blessing” program, stating that Rs. 10,000 crores were deposited into mothers’ accounts. However, critics note that the scheme only spent over Rs. 6,000 crores during its implementation, raising questions about its effectiveness. Furthermore, while he touted that over 43.51 crore women have benefited from free bus travel under the “Women Empowerment” initiative, the costs incurred amount to Rs. 1,532 crores, leaving many to wonder about the reality of this success given the numerous restrictions placed on the initiative.
Naidu’s claims extend to farmers as well, stating that Rs. 6,300 crores were distributed to 46 lakh farmers in two installments. In contrast, the Governor mentioned in his speech that farmers receive an annual benefit of Rs. 20,000, which contradicts Naidu’s statement that only Rs. 10,000 has been disbursed so far. This discrepancy leaves farmers with a significant shortfall of Rs. 30,000 each.
Additionally, Naidu announced that 63 lakh people receive pensions each month, yet critics point out that no new pensions have been introduced since his government took office, and approximately four lakh individuals have seen their pensions cut. His assertion that Rs. 1,000 crores were spent on road repairs has been met with skepticism, especially given the numerous reports highlighting the poor condition of roads across the state.
Naidu’s remarks about holding “mega parent-teacher meetings” being a success have also come under fire, as reports indicate a significant drop in student enrollment in government schools. Meanwhile, a claim of Rs. 2,600 crores paid in fee reimbursements lacks transparency, with students protesting over approximately Rs. 5,000 crores in pending dues.
The announcement of a Google data center in Visakhapatnam, backed by an investment of Rs. 1.25 lakh crores, has also raised eyebrows, particularly since previous projects like the Adani data center did not yield significant employment. Despite assurances regarding clearing arrears for government employees, reports suggest that the backlog amounts to Rs. 40,000 crores.
Analysts contend that Naidu’s declarations of success are little more than propaganda without substantial backing. His claims of investments totaling Rs. 13 lakh crores and creating 16 lakh jobs through the PPP framework appear inflated and lack credibility. Moreover, the recent assembly meeting saw Naidu warning MLAs against discussing public issues, hinting at a fear of backlash regarding the government’s performance.
In a climate of uncertainty, with apprehensions about the upcoming elections, Naidu’s coalition partner, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, has reiterated their commitment to work together for the next fifteen years, indicating a sense of urgency and fear among the leaders. Kalyan’s comments about communal tensions instigated by the YSR Congress Party seem hypocritical given Jana Sena’s own formation on caste lines.
As the political landscape continues to shift, the call for a more concise and focused assembly discussion from Naidu raises eyebrows. If only he would adhere to the same guidelines he sets for others, it may indeed bring about a much-needed change in the political discourse of Andhra Pradesh.
