One Year of Naidu’s government in Andhra Pradesh: Mixed reactions

As the TDP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, completes its first year in power, public sentiment and political analysis reveal a mixed response. While several key election promises have been fulfilled, others remain unaddressed, prompting debates about the government’s overall performance.

Naidu hailed the milestone as a “victory of democracy,” while Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan called it a “historic” moment for the state.

After securing a landslide victory in June 2024—winning 164 out of 175 seats—the NDA government, comprising the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Jana Sena Party (JSP), and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), set out to revive Andhra Pradesh’s economy, which Naidu described as being in a “severe debt crisis” following the previous YSRCP administration.

Key achievements include:

1. Matsyakara Bharosa Scheme: Financial assistance of Rs 20,000 to fishermen during the fishing holiday season.
2. Infrastructure Push: Projects such as industrial parks across 42 constituencies, road expansion to Valaparla Industrial Park, and a water storage facility in Parchur.
3. Investment Focus: India’s first Quantum Computing Centre, planned for Amaravati in partnership with TCS, IBM, and L&T, scheduled for completion by 2026.
4. Regional Development: Emphasis on decentralization, with educational institutions established across North Andhra, Coastal Andhra, and Rayalaseema.
5. Coastal Economy: Progress on 11 fishing harbors aimed at strengthening the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Unfulfilled promises and growing criticism

Despite these advancements, the government has come under fire for its failure to fully implement the “Super Six” guarantees—the cornerstone of its electoral campaign.

Former Chief Minister and YSRCP leader Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused Naidu of “spreading lies” and omitting the guarantees from the 2024 state budget. Naidu, in response, cited financial constraints inherited from the previous administration as a barrier to immediate implementation.

This has fueled criticism from both opposition parties and policy analysts, who argue that while Naidu’s long-term economic vision is ambitious, the delay in rolling out critical welfare schemes has created disillusionment among some voters.

The first year has also been marked by tension within the NDA coalition. Pawan Kalyan, whose Jana Sena Party won all 21 of the seats it contested, has emerged as a key power center.

Further tensions surfaced with calls from TDP leaders to appoint Naidu’s son, Nara Lokesh, as Deputy Chief Minister—an idea that reportedly unsettled the JSP. Nonetheless, Pawan Kalyan has continued to express strong public support for Naidu’s leadership, urging him to stay in power for the next decade to realize the vision of a USD 1 trillion economy.

On the national stage, both Naidu and Kalyan have strengthened their influence, campaigning for the BJP in key states such as Maharashtra and Delhi. Their efforts were instrumental in securing a win for the NDA’s Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra.

Naidu has also doubled down on his commitment to reviving Amaravati, positioning the capital as a symbol of Telugu pride and a hub for economic resurgence.

A year marked by symbolism and strategy

Speaking on the anniversary of his administration, Naidu described the mandate as a “victory of democracy,” crediting the people for placing their faith in his leadership. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to transparent governance and sustainable economic development, encouraging both domestic and international investors to explore opportunities in Andhra Pradesh.

Pawan Kalyan echoed these sentiments in the state assembly, calling the year “historic” and praising Naidu’s strategic vision. He urged all cabinet ministers to align with Naidu’s roadmap for transforming the state.

As the government enters its second year, it faces a critical balancing act: fulfilling the remaining election promises, managing coalition dynamics, and navigating the state’s fragile financial landscape.

While Naidu’s development agenda has laid the groundwork for long-term progress, sustaining public trust will require delivering on welfare schemes that directly impact the electorate. The opposition, led by Jagan Mohan Reddy, remains vocal, vowing to launch a social media campaign to hold the government accountable.