Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s Flip-Flop on ‘Super 6’ Scheme
In a surprising move, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has made a U-turn on the implementation of the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme, a key component of his government’s “Super 6” welfare initiatives. The Chief Minister’s latest stance has raised eyebrows among political observers and the public alike.
The Annadata Sukhibhava scheme was introduced by the Naidu government as part of its “Super 6” umbrella of welfare programs, which also includes initiatives like Pasupu Kunkuma, Amma Vodi, and YSR Aasara. The scheme was intended to provide financial assistance of ₹10,000 per year to farmers in the state.
However, in a recent statement, Naidu has now stated that the scheme will not be implemented as previously announced. The Chief Minister cited budget constraints and the need to prioritize other welfare measures as the reasons for this decision. This sudden change in stance has left many farmers and opposition parties in the state bewildered and frustrated.
The Annadata Sukhibhava scheme was a key election promise made by the TDP in the run-up to the 2019 state assembly elections. Its non-implementation has now become a political liability for the ruling party, with opposition parties, particularly the YSR Congress Party, seizing the opportunity to criticize the government’s “U-turn” on the issue.
Political analysts suggest that Naidu’s latest decision may be a tactical move to reallocate resources towards other welfare programs, such as Amma Vodi, which provides financial assistance to mothers for sending their children to school. However, this shift in focus has angered the farming community, a key voting bloc in the state.
The Chief Minister’s flip-flop on the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme has also raised questions about the sustainability and long-term viability of the “Super 6” welfare initiatives. Andhra Pradesh’s fiscal situation, which has been a subject of concern for some time, may have played a role in Naidu’s decision to scale back the scheme.
As the state prepares for the upcoming local body elections, the issue of the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme is likely to feature prominently in the political discourse. The TDP leadership will need to tread carefully to maintain its support among the farming community and mitigate the potential political backlash from the opposition parties.
