Amaravathi : As congratulations poured in for CM Chandrababu Naidu, today, marking the anniversary of his first oath-taking ceremony as the Chief Minister of the undivided Andhra Pradesh on September 1, 1995, the rank and file of the Telugu Desam Party appreciated the leader’s political legacy and termed his career an unwavering commitment to the people of Andhra Pradesh.From humble beginnings as a youth leader in the 1970s to becoming a pivotal figure in Indian politics today, Chandrababu Naidu has navigated highs of groundbreaking development and lows of political challenges, emerging as a prolific leader dedicated to growth and development. Often configured with the moniker of ‘Kingmaker’ and fondly called ‘Babu,’ the leader has left an indelible mark on the state as well as national politics with his evolving style of politics and governance, sometimes setting a precedent for others to follow, including then Gujarat CM and today’s PM Modi.Naidu’s political journey began in 1978 when he was elected as an MLA from the Chandragiri constituency under the Indian National Congress. He later joined the TDP in 1983, where he won multiple terms as an MLA from Kuppam. He was also elected as an MP for a brief spell, where he contributed to the national discourse. However, it was his rise to the post of Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in 1995 that truly defined his legacy.
*First Term as the CM: Transforming Andhra Pradesh (1995–1999)*
Chandrababu Naidu took his first oath as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on September 1, 1995. His inaugural term (1995–2004) shines as a transformative era that catapulted the state onto the national stage. Naidu’s bold initiatives, including the 1998 launch of Hi-Tech City with former PM Vajpayee, positioned Hyderabad as a global IT hub. His personal outreach to Bill Gates secured Microsoft’s first international development centre in 1998. The Vision 2020 blueprint drove biotechnology growth through Genome Valley, while irrigation projects like Handri-Neeva transformed Rayalaseema, irrigating lakhs of acres for people in Rayalaseema. As a key ally under the Vajpayee government, Naidu leveraged TDP’s Lok Sabha seats to secure central funds to advance Andhra’s growth, as he continues to do today as a key ally to NDA under PM Modi’s third term.
*Second Term as CM: Innovation and Challenges (1999–2004)*
Chandrababu Naidu’s second term as Chief Minister (1999–2004) marked an era of innovation, propelling the state into the global spotlight as a tech and economic hub. Naidu’s dynamic leadership further expanded Hi-Tech City and drove Vision 2020, earning praise from world leaders like Bill Clinton. He also earned the title of “South Asian of the Year” given by Time Asia. Surviving a deadly Naxalite attack in 2003, Naidu’s resolve to serve the people of the state only strengthened, focusing on rural upliftment, though political opponents labelled him urban-centric, which led to TDP’s loss in 2004.
*Decade-long tenure as the Leader of the Opposition (2004–2014)*
Chandrababu Naidu’s tenure as Leader of Opposition (2004–2014) stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to Andhra Pradesh’s people. As the LoP, through relentless campaigns for farmer welfare and governance accountability, he countered the Congress-YSRCP dominance. Post the 2014 state bifurcation, Naidu stood tall as Andhra’s steadfast guide, securing TDP’s victory in the 2014 elections. *Third Term as CM: Rebuilding Andhra Pradesh Post-Bifurcation (2014-2019)*With Chandrababu Naidu’s 3rd term as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, it marked a resilient chapter of reconstruction for the newly bifurcated state, as its first leader following the historic split from Telangana. His governance focused on building Amaravati as a world-class greenfield capital, attracting global investments, and positioning the state as an economic powerhouse despite challenges. His alliance with the BJP at the national level amplified Andhra’s voice, securing funds for infrastructure and development. CM Naidu’s administration championed mega projects like the Polavaram irrigation initiative to boost agriculture and the development of industrial corridors, drawing giants such as Kia Motors, Foxconn, and Pepsi to create jobs and drive growth in the state. Initiatives in IT, biotechnology, and e-governance transformed Andhra, with the state ranking first in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index in 2016, 2017, and 2019. Despite the denial of Special Category Status by the central government, leading to his eventual exit from the NDA in 2018, Naidu’s focus on sustainable development and global partnerships laid a strong foundation for Andhra Pradesh. His term, however, ended in electoral defeat to YSRCP in 2019. Chandrababu Naidu’s tenure as LoP in Andhra Pradesh from 2019 to 2024 showcased his indomitable spirit. Facing a 53-day-long politically motivated arrest and imprisonment in 2023 over alleged skill development scam charges by the YSRCP government, Naidu emerged stronger with public support. His strategic alliances with the Jana Sena Party and the BJP led to a resounding 2024 NDA victory and brought him back to power.
*Fourth Term as CM: Putting State on a Pedestal (2024 onwards)*
Today, as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh again, Naidu is channelling his experience into revitalising the state. Under his leadership, the Andhra Pradesh government has already rolled out key schemes under the “Super Six” promise within a year of coming to power.Mind you, this isn’t the same Naidu as in 1995; his leadership and vision are much bigger than what was there in his initial years. His appetite for growth and hunger for propelling the state to global heights, much larger. When the rest of his contemporaries are still consumed in identity politics and social issues, he is today talking about building Andhra Pradesh as India’s leading tech hub. His vision goes above and beyond with him time and again reiterating his dream of transforming Amaravati into a ‘Quantum Valley.’Besides, Naidu’s Swarnandhra@2047 vision aims to transform the state into a global hub by 2047, attracting industries through AI-driven policies. Under the visionary leadership, Andhra Pradesh’s Quantum Valley and Ratan Tata Innovation Hub have recently been established as a step towards achieving the desired goals. These mark a transformative step in positioning the state capital of Amaravati as a pioneering hub for advanced computing and innovation. Some other latest achievements of the 75-year-old politician would include the mega Polavaram multipurpose project, with an estimated cost of ₹80,000 crore, fast-tracking construction to irrigate 7.5 lakh acres and supply drinking water to 80 lakh people. Under his leadership, the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi project – a ₹4000 crore lift irrigation project is gaining pace in its Phase II with plans to get 10,600 direct jobs and irrigate 6 lakh acres as a whole in the drought-prone Rayalaseema districts, boosting agricultural productivity, water availability, employment, and development. Chandrababu Naidu’s journey, blending technology with social justice and welfare, positions him as the ideal leader to make Andhra Pradesh India’s growth engine. Naidu’s story is one of triumph over trials, making him the leader that he is today for the people of Andhra Pradesh and guiding the state forward towards a prosperous future.
