Amaravati: Chandrababu Naidu Resumes Role as Kingmaker in National Politics
After a hiatus of two decades, Nara Chandrababu Naidu has re-emerged as a pivotal figure in national politics. The seasoned politician and leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is once again in the media spotlight, as his party’s support is crucial for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to secure a third term in power.
Having faced a crushing defeat to the YSR Congress Party five years ago, Naidu has made a remarkable comeback. The 74-year-old is poised to become the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh for the fourth time following a landslide victory in the state assembly elections. With 16 MPs, the TDP, alongside the Janata Dal (United), is now bolstering the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre.
Renowned for his negotiating skills, Naidu is expected to leverage his position to secure key ministerial positions and advocate for Special Category Status (SCS) for Andhra Pradesh, as promised in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. This role is particularly timely, as the financially strapped state requires significant support from the Centre to address its fiscal challenges, implement electoral promises, and complete major projects like the development of Amaravati and the Polavaram irrigation project.
With a commanding 135 seats in the 175-member state assembly, Naidu’s government is not dependent on allies Jana Sena and BJP for survival, allowing him greater freedom to press Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration on state-specific issues.
Naidu’s political journey has seen dramatic shifts. Following the worst electoral defeat of his career in 2019, he faced significant challenges, including imprisonment related to allegations of corruption during his previous tenure. Yet, he emerged from these trials, rallying support and securing a decisive victory against Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP.
Naidu first rose to prominence in 1995, becoming the chief minister of united Andhra Pradesh after a political coup against his father-in-law and TDP founder NT Rama Rao. He solidified his position following NTR’s death in 1996 and has since been a key figure in Indian politics, known for his economic reforms and tech-savvy governance.
His role in national politics began in 1996 as the convenor of the United Front, and in 1999, he played a crucial part in the National Democratic Alliance. Despite being seen as an opportunist by some, his strategic alliances have often proved beneficial, including his collaboration with the BJP during the ‘Vajpayee wave’.
After losing power to YS Rajasekhara Reddy in 2004, Naidu admitted to having misplaced priorities that led to the neglect of agriculture. The TDP’s failure to reclaim power in 2009 further complicated his political landscape.
The 2014 emergence of Narendra Modi as the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate provided Naidu an opportunity to rejuvenate his political career. By aligning with the NDA and campaigning with Modi, supported by Pawan Kalyan, Naidu won the truncated Andhra Pradesh elections, credited with putting Hyderabad on the global IT map.
However, Naidu struggled in a political environment where Modi’s majority diminished his kingmaker role. Facing challenges like the development of Amaravati and inadequate financial support from the Centre, he withdrew from the NDA in 2018, accusing Modi of betrayal, and attempted an alliance with Congress, which proved disastrous.
Despite these setbacks, Naidu has now successfully realigned with the NDA, bolstered by an alliance with Jana Sena and shifting political dynamics in Andhra Pradesh. Riding an anti-incumbency wave, this alliance decimated the YSRCP, securing a significant majority in both the state assembly and Lok Sabha seats.
Naidu’s resilience and strategic acumen have once again positioned him as a key player in national politics, marking a remarkable turnaround from his recent political and legal challenges.
