Chandrababu Naidu interview: ‘There is a sentiment for caste census, you must honour it… (use it) to reduce economic disparities’

For Andhra Pradesh, I spot immense imaginable successful the eastbound coast’s port-led manufacturing and greenish energy—especially greenish hydrogen. My earlier reforms successful the powerfulness assemblage paved the mode for this. We besides request to pat into electronics manufacturing, EV production, and agro-processing.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu during a interrogation astatine his 1 Janpath location successful New Delhi. (Express photograph by Renuka Puri)

Now, my absorption is not conscionable connected the easiness of doing concern but the velocity of doing business. Real-time advancement is essential. I acceptable clip limits, way advancement closely, and instrumentality feedback from entrepreneurs to guarantee accountability. Speed is the request of the hour.

By 2047, I purpose to marque Andhra Pradesh a premier authorities with a absorption connected employment procreation and poorness eradication.

You person held galore meetings connected a caller concern argumentation to pull backstage investment. What are the cardinal elements that volition springiness Andhra an borderline implicit its neighbouring states?

The cardinal to occurrence is gathering a beardown brand, beryllium it for a person oregon a state. Hyderabad is simply a premier illustration of however a well-established estimation sustains maturation crossed governments. I’m crafting a clear, forward-looking concern strategy, emphasising easiness of doing business. Andhra Pradesh has unsocial strengths, peculiarly successful greenish energy. With abundant star and upwind resources, and the imaginable for pumped vigor successful the Deccan plateau, we are well-positioned for greenish vigor and greenish hydrogen. So these 2 are a deadly combination. Our 7 ports volition besides let for important exports successful this sector.

Additionally, we person strengths successful horticulture, aquaculture, and nutrient processing, arsenic good arsenic electronics, hardware, pharma, and adjacent the automobile industry. Just arsenic I transformed Hyderabad into a starring city, competing with Bangalore, I’m assured Andhra Pradesh volition thrive by leveraging these advantages.

How captious is onshore acquisition for your concern plans? Does the authorities oregon concern corporations already person capable onshore banks, oregon is determination a request for more?

Sometimes priorities are misunderstood. We request onshore for some lodging and industry, but equilibrium is key. For instance, I acquired important onshore for concern development, but my successor (Jagan) utilized overmuch of it for location sites. While lodging is important, we can’t sacrifice employment opportunities by giving distant each the onshore for homes. Now I person to get onshore for industry.

Historically, I ne'er faced challenges successful acquiring land. For Hyderabad airport, I secured 5,000 acres, and for Amaravati, I successfully pooled 33,000 acres. Now, we privation to adhd different P to the PPP exemplary — public-private-people concern (PPPP). Farmers tin excavation their land, portion developers grip infrastructure, creating win-win situations for everyone. Farmers volition payment successful a large way.

The “Super Six” payment schemes are a immense outgo connected the exchequer. What forced you to spell for competitory populism?

Since the economical reforms of 1991, we’ve seen large shifts. Before reforms, maturation was stagnant, but post-reforms, wealthiness was created. However, implicit the past 33 years—from 1991 to 2024—we’ve seen wealthiness progressively concentrated successful a fewer hands. The expected trickle-down hasn’t worked arsenic hoped, and present we request a antithetic exemplary altogether.

Aspirations person risen, and nationalist policies indispensable onslaught a equilibrium betwixt payment and development. Jagan focused solely connected welfare, ignoring wealthiness instauration and gross generation. I promised both. After taking office, I recovered the authorities burdened with a monolithic indebtedness of implicit ₹10.5 lakh crores and breached institutions. truthful it volition instrumentality clip to hole things. Already, we’ve implemented a ₹4,000 minimum pension, costing ₹33,000 crores annually. Other initiatives similar Anna canteens person started, and we are focusing connected balancing payment with improvement arsenic we determination forward.

Against the backdrop of the fiscal challenges you person conscionable mentioned, what are the 2 to 3 things you privation to bash to assistance the state’s fiscal betterment successful the adjacent 5 years?

One cardinal origin is that we are portion of the cardinal government, and they’re offering immoderate support, particularly owed to the bifurcation. We’ve restarted projects similar Amravati and Polavaram, which volition enactment america connected a improvement path. I’m besides moving hard to pull large investments into the authorities and tighten up the functioning of each departments.

“I’ve ever had a imaginativeness for the full Telugu community,” Naidu said. (Express photo)

We’re utilizing some cardinal and authorities funds efficiently, and I’m exploring innovative ways to boost gross without burdening the communal man. I’ve besides directed my departments to survey neighbouring states and national-level practices to follow immoderate beneficial approaches.

You’ve agelong been a champion of federalism. Many confederate states often explicit concerns astir constricted powers to make resources. How bash you presumption the situation of assets generation?

Resource constraints are a situation for immoderate government, but the lone existent solution is wealthiness creation. As you make wealth, your gross procreation people increases, allowing you to equilibrium payment and improvement effectively. There are nary shortcuts—this is simply a proven attack worldwide.

As Chief Minister, you invested heavy successful processing Hyderabad, but it went to Telangana. In hindsight, bash you deliberation the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh was a bully idea?

I’ve ever had a imaginativeness for the full Telugu community, and yes, I developed Hyderabad into 1 of the champion cities. But bifurcation has happened, and I can’t dwell connected regrets oregon proceed commenting connected it. The Telugu assemblage successful Telangana got Hyderabad, and that’s the reality. My absorption present is connected gathering Andhra Pradesh.

When we started rebuilding Andhra successful 2014, we were among the apical 3 successful economical growth. Unfortunately, the ecosystem we had built has been wholly destroyed implicit the past 5 years, and present I person to rebuild from scratch.

Comparing Telangana present isn’t helpful. It’s been 10 years since bifurcation—what’s done is done… Good oregon bad, we indispensable determination forward.

On pending issues betwixt Andhra and Telangana, which ones would you prioritise?

We precocious had a gathering wherever some sides discussed these issues. We agreed to archetypal person officers from some sides beryllium unneurotic to re-articulate and resoluteness the pending matters. Following that, ministers from Andhra and Telangana volition conscionable to benignant things out.

I don’t privation to remark connected the issues present since immoderate remark volition person an implication. My purpose is to resoluteness these issues amicably. With cardinal enactment and practice from Telangana, we tin determination guardant and vie together. That is my eventual goal.

You won the authorities predetermination successful 2014, mislaid successful 2019, and present you are backmost successful power. In between, you besides spent 51 days successful jail. What governmental lessons person you learned from some your moments of spot and weakness implicit the past decade?

It’s been much than 10 years of challenges. I archetypal became Chief Minister successful 1995, and present I’m successful my 4th term. One cardinal acquisition I’ve learned is that whenever I became overly obsessed with achieving things quickly, I faced setbacks. In 1995 and 1999, I won with sweeping victories, but successful 2004, I mislaid due to the fact that I was excessively focused connected doing everything astatine once—hosting Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, putting Andhra connected the satellite map. That nonaccomplishment acceptable maine backmost for 10 years.

In 2014, I returned to power, and portion Telangana developed, I saw it arsenic a effect of my enactment connected Hyderabad. Then again, I became obsessed with doing much for Andhra, and I mislaid successful 2019. Those 5 years were achy for the state, with a batch of harm done to our progress, mounting america backmost 20-30 years.

Now, I’m focused connected rebuilding, but I’ve learned that it’s indispensable to beryllium systematic and patient. I person the acquisition and cognize what to do, but it’s important to equilibrium payment and development. I indispensable pass with the radical continuously, beryllium transparent, and explicate my actions. Feeling genuine and earning the people’s spot is much important. When you are obsessed, you whitethorn not pass properly, you whitethorn not listen. That’s however I program to determination forward, listening, solving, and convincing the nationalist with sincerity and balance.

Religion has progressively influenced governmental outcomes successful India… What is your appraisal of the 2024 predetermination results?

From my experience, enactment is the astir decisive origin successful elections. This was my 10th election, and implicit the years, I’ve observed that portion assorted factors tin power outcomes, it is the assurance radical person successful a person that yet matters. In 2014, Narendra Modi was elected due to the fact that radical believed successful his leadership. The aforesaid happened successful 2019. Now, successful 2024, contempt a smaller majority, helium was elected for a 3rd time, which is not an casual feat—few leaders successful Indian past person managed that. Even Indira Gandhi faced important setbacks.

The radical spot Modi due to the fact that they spot him delivering and making a difference. Leadership, much than immoderate different factor, drives electoral success. In my ain career, I’ve sometimes been imbalanced successful my approach, but Modi has recovered a mode to support balance, and that’s wherefore helium continues to succeed. As the senior-most person successful the country, this is my appraisal of the 2024 elections.

You are an important state of the BJP successful the existent Lok Sabha equation. Having been portion of the NDA nether Narendra Modi from 2014 to 2018, and present again, bash you spot immoderate quality successful the narration betwixt TDP and BJP, particularly fixed your relation arsenic a kingmaker?

From the beginning, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has ever prioritised maintaining credibility and stability. This has been our spot passim our history. In politics, you triumph some, you suffer some, but stableness is what sets america apart. Since 1996-97, we’ve been a cardinal subordinate successful the NDA, supporting Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji for six and a fractional years without seeking positions—our absorption was ever connected authorities and nationalist development. From 2014-19, erstwhile BJP had a majority, we were partners, and adjacent had 2 ministers.

Now, erstwhile again, we are portion of the alliance, and unneurotic we person a majority. I spot nary important quality successful the relationship; our absorption remains the same—working unneurotic for the advancement of this large nation.

Has determination been immoderate alteration successful the BJP’s cognition toward TDP?

No, I don’t spot immoderate change. The lone quality we had antecedently was implicit the contented of peculiar presumption for the state. Whether that was close oregon incorrect is simply a abstracted issue. Today, we inactive person the aforesaid respect, coordination, and shared intent arsenic before.

Southern states person ever been acrophobic astir the interaction of delimitation connected their practice successful Parliament. Has this contented been discussed wrong the NDA, and however bash you presumption it?

India presently benefits from a demographic dividend, portion galore countries are grappling with aging populations. This vantage volition past until 2047, aft which we’ll spot a earthy decline. South India, with a little fertility rate, is already facing the aging issue, and it volition gradually interaction North India arsenic well. Balancing demographic absorption is crucial. It’s clip for South India to prosecute successful discussions connected this to guarantee that demographic shifts are managed well.

But bash you interest astir the Southern States’ dependable being diminished successful Parliament?

I’m not worried. Southern states had the archetypal vantage owed to economical reforms, and we’ve progressed. Now, North India is starting to payment arsenic well. Regarding governmental representation, I don’t deliberation determination volition beryllium important changes. Historically, some Assembly and Parliament seats person been fixed successful respect to the states. For example, Andhra Pradesh has 25 MPs, and I judge 25 MPs volition beryllium there, depending connected population, seats volition beryllium divided. Same happening has to continue.

Is determination a coordination mechanics with allies? If yes, are you oregon is your enactment taken into assurance earlier decisions similar the Waqf Bill are taken?

No, we person fixed our opinion. In Parliament also, we are moving connected that.

But what astir delicate issues..

Then I tin ever prime up the telephone and telephone them and fto them cognize our opinion.

 In the Tirupati laddu issue, it took the Supreme Court to yet emphasise that religion should beryllium kept abstracted from politics. Isn’t that a disapproval of your government’s handling of this issue?

Throughout my life, I person ever maintained spiritual harmony. When the Balaji temple faced issues, I acted swiftly. There were complaints astir the deterioration of the laddu quality, and determination were agitations. When I returned (to power), I appointed the close radical to spell for reforms. We sent laddu samples for NABL accreditation, and we received reports.

There is nary governmental contention from my end. I person lone spoken connected maintaining purity and sanctity. The Supreme Court besides recognised this, acknowledging that it was a substance of devotee sentiments, which needed to beryllium protected. We welcomed their determination (to acceptable up an autarkic SIT), and the reforms are continuing.

When Jagan’s religion came up earlier his sojourn to the temple.. that was seen arsenic an effort to pigeon-hole and stereotype Reddy (who happens to beryllium a Christian) arsenic a number assemblage politician…

No, no, it’s not astir that. What I’m saying is, if I spell to a church, I indispensable travel their customs. If I spell to a masjid, I respect their traditions. Similarly, erstwhile anyone visits Tirupati, determination are definite traditions and rules that indispensable beryllium followed. You cannot interruption them. Jagan saying helium wouldn’t travel these traditions, since helium didn’t person to bash it arsenic CM, is not correct. If you made a mistake arsenic Chief Minister doesn’t mean you tin proceed to marque that mistake.

But your state (Pawan Kalyan) is precise enthusiastic astir this and Sanatan Dharma..

People tin person their ain ideas, and there’s thing incorrect with that. But ultimately, everything needs to beryllium balanced. We are doing that—balancing. If thing happens to your God, you volition people consciousness hurt. That’s what I’m saying—nobody has the close to disturb specified heavy sentiments.

There’s been disapproval from absorption leaders astir the usage of authorities machinery to people rivals. You’ve had a akin acquisition during your arrest. What’s your instrumentality connected these accusations?

In immoderate states, yes, this has happened. But if there’s immoderate coagulated evidence, past naturally, enquiries person to beryllium conducted. Without evidence, thing tin beryllium done—that’s not correct.

Even centrally, agencies similar ED and CBI look to beryllium utilized disproportionately against absorption leaders…

I bash not privation to remark connected the merits of the cases. If determination is evidence, past they (agencies) person to act. For instance, successful my case, determination was thing they could prove.

But the process tin besides beryllium punishing… you yourself spent 51 days successful jail…

That is wherefore they paid a dense terms successful elections.

Even if you don’t privation to spell into the merits of a case, I’m conscionable taking the illustration of 1 governmental leader, Arvind Kejriwal, idiosyncratic you shared lukewarm ties with. What bash you deliberation it means for the aboriginal of a governmental enactment erstwhile its tallest person is imprisoned?

I bash not privation to remark specifically connected that case. But I privation to accidental that ultimately, determination are checks and balances successful democracy. People are the eventual judges. Does the enactment of agencies bespeak the temper of the people? If it didn’t, past what does that indicate? So, that is wherever we person to enactment successful specified a mode that nary bureau oregon idiosyncratic tin enactment excessively. The quality of ideology is its checks and balances, which volition automatically close things.

The census has been inordinately delayed. This not lone affects determination making successful the Centre but successful states too.

With Aadhaar and technology, the census tin besides beryllium done successful existent clip successful the future. Technology has to play a large relation here, a large role. Earlier, the census was indispensable to stitchery facts—demographic profiles, economical profiles, and different fundamentals. But now, real-time information is available. We are implementing Ayushman Bharat with real-time updates of aesculapian records, which volition springiness america the wellness illustration of the nation. DBT. If we integrate each this data—demographic, economic, educational, and skill-related—we tin show real-time profiles of families crossed caste, religion, economical status, and education. This would marque the census much dynamic and data-driven.

Do you deliberation determination should beryllium a caste census?

Caste census, yes, it has to beryllium done. There is simply a sentiment, and there’s thing incorrect with it. You bash a caste census, you bash an economical analysis, and you spell for a accomplishment census. You enactment retired however to physique each these things and trim economical disparities.

But you are saying that this sentiment should beryllium honoured for the caste census?

Yes, you person to honour it. There are nary 2nd thoughts.. At the aforesaid time, poorness is the biggest issue. Even if you beryllium to a weaker section, if you person money, nine volition respect you. If you are from an precocious caste and don’t person money, cipher volition respect you. Wealth is simply a large leveller. That’s wherever you person to find balance.

TDP and BJP person immoderate stark differences. For instance, BJP’s stance connected preservation based connected religion, portion Andhra Pradesh offers preservation to Muslims. How bash you reconcile these?

Even successful a family, 2 brothers are not ever the same, right? Two sisters, oregon children, volition person differences too. We volition person ideological differences, but we volition enactment together. It’s simple. My enactment is simply a determination party, and their’s is simply a nationalist party—we some person our compulsions. But what’s important is however we enactment for the nation. Nation-building and benefiting the radical of this large state are what genuinely matter.

But if thing troubles you, tin you conscionable telephone the Prime Minister?

Always, that’s not a large problem. If necessary, we volition question his assignment and talk. Sometimes, determination volition beryllium issues, but we volition sermon them amicably. Over time, some our parties person built beardown histories—TDP has been astir for 40 years, and BJP for adjacent longer. These are parties with ideologies and humanities backgrounds. From the beginning, since NTR’s time, we’ve worked with BJP. For 45 years, from the 1983 August situation to 1984, everyone was involved, including leaders similar Vajpayee and Advani.