Aiming at a huge Financial Aid: Chandra Babu Naidu the newly elected CM of Andhra Pradesh
On being elected as the CM of AP, Chandra Babu Naidu aims at securing a huge financial Aid instead of Cabinet Folio
The focus for N Chandrababu Naidu and his TDP party lies not in the cabinet portfolio allocations but in securing a special financial package for Andhra Pradesh. Despite receiving the civil aviation portfolio in the Union cabinet, which they also held in 2014, the real test for his leverage in the coalition government will be the concessions he can extract for his state. Naidu returns as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh with a significant mandate, having won 135 out of 175 assembly seats, indicating his party’s dominance. The reduced opposition presence underscores TDP’s stronghold in the state. Unlike in the past when BJP and TDP were allies, TDP now holds leverage over the coalition due to BJP’s failure to secure a majority in the Lok Sabha. However, despite speculation over the compromises BJP might have to make, especially given its anchor position in the NDA coalition, TDP did not secure one of the four key ministries—home, finance, defense, and external affairs. It’s understood that BJP, as the anchor, was unlikely to relinquish these critical portfolios.
The example of the DMK’s bargaining power in past coalition governments, where it held key portfolios but still faced losses in local elections, shows that cabinet positions are not crucial for regional parties including that of Naidu’s. Instead, the trajectory and political credibility of regional parties like TDP hinge on their performance in local elections and their ability to secure significant concessions for their states. For Andhra Pradesh, a key demand has been the special category status, promised but has yet to be delivered by both Congress and BJP governments after the state’s bifurcation. This status significantly reduces co-funding requirements for central government schemes, freeing up state resources for other critical areas. While not necessarily needing to be termed ‘special category status,’ a comparable financial package from the NDA is crucial for him to maintain political credibility and meet the expectations of his electorate. Therefore, Naidu’s success will be judged primarily on whether he can secure a meaningful financial package for Andhra Pradesh rather than on the cabinet positions held by his party members in the Union government.
[Image Source: TimesNow]
