CHANDRABABU NAIDU - OXYGEN OF AP & VISIONARY AHEAD OF TIMES

CHANDRABABU NAIDU - VISIONARY AHEAD OF TIMES

Introduction:

Political administration and bureaucracy are two very important pillars of democracy. Proper coordination and cooperation between these two functionaries is essential to built healthy and wealthy democracy.  Lack of synergy among these two important functionaries is often leading to conflicting situations, resulting in waste of public resources, far below potential growth rates etc reflecting as subdued economy.

Politician is the one who look at short term gains through populist programs and benefits, irrespective of its public good and more interested in immediate vote catching techniques. Very few among politicians turn out to be leaders. Leader is one who looks for people’s welfare, development, growth, infrastructure etc and strikes a balance. Leader with long term vision, commitment to delivery, networking skills, team building, and technology interface is a rare combination and very selective few among leaders across the globe will fit into this category.

The residual Andhra Pradesh is lucky to have one among such selective few visionary leaders on the globe, SRI CHANDRABABU NAIDU (CBN) as its chief minister and beyond any doubts, AP will emerge as one among top three states in India in next five years and AMARAVATHI will place in world top cities.

CBN – Political vision:

CBN’s political vision started as student leader in SV University, Tirupati and he always used to think ahead, think innovatively like keeping in touch with people, addressing people’s problems. Political learning from NG Ranga, Rajagopal Naidu, helped him to become youngest MLA and minister in AP, despite his below middle class farming family background. CBN is self started, self made complete man.

After joining TDP in 1983, CBN focused on organization setup and within six months established himself as important functionary and proved his mentor during August,1984 Nadendla Bhaskara Rao coup and won the confidence of NTR. Despite ample opportunities to become minister, CBN preferred to focus on TDP organization in the capacity of general secretary. It is not an exaggeration to say that TDP emerged as most disciplined cadre based party with excellent organization setup starting from booth committees to party president. This is possible only due to long term vision of CBN.

During 1985-88, despite so many welfare programs focussing on poor, the farmers are unhappy and congress could create an image that the government is anti farmers and irrigation is being grossly neglected. Gauging the situation, CBN came out with an idea of separate body for farmers namely KARSHAK PARISHAD and became its chairman in 1988. With his vision, CBN could quickly establish Karshak parishad system to mandal level and focus on farmer’s development with sectarian approach. Despite CBN best efforts and vision exercise, TDP lost elections to Congress in 1989 and it was a big shock to NTR and Party.

CBN again took the party organisation built up, sustaining it as a major task and did commendable job in retaining the cadre and party. In addition to organization work, CBN has to take the role of opposition leader in assembly in the absence of NTR and with his exemplary skills, could able to unite opposition parties against congress and earn the applauds for his organization skills and instrumental in TDP coming back to power in 1994 under NTR leadership by reducing congress to lowest ever score of just 26 MLAs.

Dec, 1994 to August, 1995 is the most painful and crucial phase for TDP as well as NTR family. The political interference of Lakshmi Parvathi (LP), particularly after winning the elections in 1994 became unbearable for party and the stage has come where certain drastic decisions were required in the larger interest of Telugu Desam. Again CBN had to shoulder the responsibility “LP HATAO- TDP BACHAO”. CBN quickly got into action, first by taking entire NTR family into confidence and later the legislative party.  Despite best efforts from CBN & other family members, well wishers, NTR was not willing to come out of clutches and hence the August, 1995 coup was inevitable.

Perhaps this could be the most painful phase in CBN’s life.  In the interest of party and its commitment to the development of state through NTR’s vision for poor and downtrodden, CBN shouldered the responsibility with unbearable pain, became victim of opposition and even today he is been targeted. All these developments could not shackle CBN and his long term vision.  By exhibiting his visionary leadership skills, very quickly brought back the party on to development track and in next 9 years (till 2004) CBN could do visioning exercise to AP (VISION 2020). With various innovative programs with accountability, coupled with social development approach of Late NTR, CBN could establish AP as most vibrant state.

In 1996 and 1999 parliament elections congress got 22 seats each in 1996 & 1998 as against TDP plus left combine score of 19 and  15 respectively. In 1998 BJP surprised everyone by scoring 4 seats contesting without any alliance. These results were slight setback to CBN particularly after a huge mandate to TDP in 1994.

CBN played important role in establishing anti BJP united front Government with Deve Gowda as Prime Minister with external support of congress in 1996 and played vital role in national politics like NTRs role in national front in 1989. Though CBN had enough opportunities to become PM during 1996-98, the visionary in him prevailed and effectively played the role of king maker (united front convenor) and marginalized congress by leaving them with no option than extending outside support to third front.  

CBN keenly observed the developments in national politics after AIADMK withdrawing support to BJP in 1999 and after analyzing the facts and need for stable Government at centre for country’s stability and growth, decided to align with BJP under the leadership of AB Vajpayee (who committed to follow Gandhian path) and contested 1999 elections partnering with BJP and reduced congress to just five parliament seats and TDP re-elected to state assembly with CBN as its undisputed leader.

As a shrewd leader, CBN gave external support to BJP government at centre and kept the secular fabric of TDP intact. His vision for state development was clearly felt during 1999-2004 , as state got maximum support from GOI & external aided projects, which kept AP on global map with ISB, Microsoft to name a few.  CBN with his clarity and vision outshined many seasoned national leaders and emerged as most powerful personality in national politics and exhibited his leadership qualities through proposing APJ Abdul Kalam as president of India.

2004 elections was major setback to CBN, as TDP reduced to 5 from 29 and BJP to 0 from 7 in parliament elections and less than 50 seats in 294 strong assembly and YSR emerging as all time powerful congress leader from the state.

Though CBN did not neglect farm sector and in fact did great drought mitigation works through watershed approach, YSR was successful in getting farmers attention during his padayatra and successful in projecting CBN as pro industry, multinationals and sided with them at the cost of farm sector.  

During the period 2004-2014, CBN had to face lot of challenges in his political career and is being insulted. He engulfed everything, stood tall in assembly and played the role of opposition leader very sensibly and proved that a visionary leader can excel in any role. Emergence of PRP, spoilt role played by Loksatta coupled with YSR image as messiah of poor, helped congress to get re-elected in 2009 elections despite TDP grand alliance with TRS & left parties. 

The developments in the state after sudden demise of YSR soon after the 2009 elections in helicopter crash lead to weak leadership in congress, gave opportunity for TRS to intensify its movement. Emergence of YSRCP, its fast growth, winning by-elections in state against TDP, TDP voting percentage reaching to the lowest ever did not shatter the seasoned leader CBN and he played his cards appropriately to keep the interests of TDP intact.

During the state bifurcation, CBN exhibited his outstanding leadership skills and very soon regained the confidence of people and quickly back into race against YSRCP. Being natural enemy of congress saw potential in developing the new state of AP by partnering with BJP under Modi’s leadership, partnered with them in 2014 elections  and won 17 (15 TDP & 2 BJP) parliament seats leaving 7 to YSRCP. TDP won assembly elections and CBN became CM of residual AP after 10 years struggle.  This result was big shock to YSRCP, as they were winning all by-elections. This win of TDP was possible only due to visionary leadership of CBN & people trusted him as leader who can build new AP as Navyandhra Pradesh. 

CBN very quickly got into action, shifted administration to Vijayawada from Hyderabad in less than two years of separation, created confidence among public that the state can emerge as leading entity under dynamic leadership of Babu Garu. The largest land pooling for capital city (33000 Acres & 31 villages) happened only due to trusted leader’s vision and no turning back to CBN.

Despite hostile treatment by coalition party BJP in fulfilling the promises of spl status, Polavaram irrigation project, Railway zone, Port, Steel plant, Funding for Amaravathi , CBN waited with patience for four long years and recently came out of Government and NDA and fighting for the rights of residual AP. Within no time CBN could able to garner the support of many anti BJP & even few BJP alliance parties and throw challenge to Sri Narendra Modi leadership. This is possible only due to credibility of CBN leadership & confidence they have on his long term vision.

CBN- Development vision for Combined AP: 

·         Sugar sector reforms – During 1986-87, understood the need for technocrat’s management in cooperative sugar units and revived few sugar units Chodavaram, Etikoppaka, Chittoor, Renigunta, Bhimadolu, and Paler as profit making units.  

·         As Karshak parishad Chairman visualized the problems of farm sector, established mandal level units and later inventions of Janmabhoomi, Gopalmitras, farmers markets, APMC reforms, market infrastructure, various other reforms in agriculture and created bench mark for nation.

·         During CBN’s first tenure as CM, state faces severe drought and distress situation in farm sector. He took the situation as challenge and put untiring efforts through minor irrigation, integrated water sheds etc and effectively addressed the crisis. 

·         Being global visionary, CBN visualised the future and with intention of reducing burden on employment in agriculture, promoted technical education in state, created huge employment opportunities in IT, Infrastructure, service sector by attracting investments. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Telugus are most preferred IT employees in India and even in USA, it’s made possible only due to CBN futuristic vision. 

·         This thrust on IT/Service sector employment generation by CBN with commitment and dedication for long term sustainable development of state was misrepresented to public by opposition and projected CBN as anti farmer and pro industry leader and they were successful in short term.

·         Power sector reforms by promoting production, transmission, distribution companies and bringing in accountability through profit centre approach is major breakthrough resulting in huge reduction in transmission and distribution losses and the model was replicated in other states. In fact the free power to agriculture by YSR Government was possible mainly due to sector reforms undertaken by CBN.

·         The sleepy city of Hyderabad was changed from “ EAT, DRINK, RELAX ” image  to “ KNOWLEDGE CITY” through sear dedication, hard work, commitment of CBN and with his vision created a totally new city within Hyderabad and named it as “ CYBERABAD”. By bringing in Microsoft only entity outside USA to Hyderabad and with few other global companies presence CBN put Hyderabad on global IT map.

·         Shamshabad airport is rated the best airport in the world in a particular category. We have the best outer ring road in the nation.  Hyderabad roads are the best in the country. Our convention centre is the first of its kind and now many might have come. Our city is prised by many due to its cleanliness, connectivity, hospitality and affordability and simply Hyderabad is the best city in India. We Telugus feel proud for it. We shall never forget the fact that the great visionary behind present Hyderabad is SRI NARA CHANDRABABU NAIDU. 

·         AP is recognised as bench mark model state e-Governance, e-filing, good governance, performance indicators, simplified procedures, monitoring systems, social development etc and not only other states, even globe started looking at AP as knowledge partner. The credit again goes to uncompromising vision of CBN.

NTR ENHANCED THE SELF RESPECT AND DIGNITY OF TELUGUS – CBN CREATED HISTORY THROGH BRAND ANDHRA PRADESH ACROSS THE GLOBE.

CBN Development vision – Residual Andhra Pradesh: 

·         Anyone other than CBN as CM would have run the state from Hyderabad as capital for next ten years. As he is a hard working, dedicated leader with vision, visualized the future of new state and quickly got into action and shifted capital to Vijayawada and in no time to AMARAVATI by constructing fairly comfortable secretariat and legislative buildings.

·         Another mile stone in his cap is historic land pooling for capital, the largest land pooling of the world, 33000 acres in 11 villages to establish world class city with thematic approach of nine cities within AMARAVATI- Tourism,  Knowledge, Electronics, Health, Finance, Media, Sports, justice & Government. The way it is being conceived and progressing with futuristic vision by providing top class infrastructure, is possible only with visionary like CBN.

·    Pattiseema, Puruthotamapatnam lift irrigation projects within the project “POLAVARAM” – This innovative and farmer friendly intervention is possible only with most seasoned and committed leader. Visionary leader is one who converts challenges into opportunities and outshine everyone. One side water starving 13 Lakh acres Krishna delta & the other side skeleton Polavaram project, CBN’s vision prevailed in the form of “ PATTISEEMA” lift irrigation project by putting part completed Polavaram right bank canal into use  to link Godavari & Krishna rivers. The project with 1600 crs outlay was completed in record time and already provided much needed critical and timely irrigation to Krishna delta by pumping over 150 TMC water. The water saved in Krishna is being used to irrigate Rayalaseema region through Srisailam-Pothireddypadu. Though the rivers linking project long back by Late K L Rao & conceived again by AB Vajpayee, the first step in this direction is put by revolutionary leader CBN. Similarly “PURUTHOTHAMPATNAM” lift irrigation project is being implemented to provide irrigation needs of East Godavari uplands, Vizag etc by putting part completed Polavaram left canal & Yeleru canals to use.

·    POLAVARAM- Life line of AP, which is declared as national project is expected to be completed by GOI with 100% funding. After assessing the track record of GOI in completion of national projects, CBN shouldered the responsibility and targeted to complete the project by 2019. Despite many hurdles in conceptual clarity, compensation issues, inconsistent funding, CBN is moving with clear vision and determined to complete the project on time. Similarly other irrigation projects like Galeru-Nagari, Pulichintala are being completed with clear deadlines.

·         Hyderabad –dream city of Telugus, fifth largest city of nation with fourth position in GDP contribution, which reached this position with visionary contribution of CBN walked away with Telangana. Residual AP is left as orphan child without any major industries or IT establishments to claim. CBN quickly got into action, identified core team to work in mission mode, branded AP as sunrise state and mission mode campaign is on. Moved around the globe and made attempts to bring the globe to AP. The results started pouring quickly in the form of Kia motors, Hero Honda, Ashok Leyland, Few cell phone units, Major IT industry, hospitality industry etc and made AP as most sought after industrial destination.

·         With focussed approach of macro plans with micro level effective implementation strategy, AP could achieve double digit growth rate in agriculture. State outperformed in horticulture, micro irrigation, prawn and fish culture etc and made other states to feel jealous of AP performance.   

·         AP gave clear direction to others through technology interface in welfare programs and brought considerable qualitative changes in PDS, pensions, seeds distribution, NREGS works monitoring etc, resulting in accountability at every level.

·          Janmabhoomi committees, water distribution societies, education  committees etc is another innovative approach of TDP, ensuring micro level monitoring of welfare programs reach to deserving and needy.

·         Use of technology to curb corruption through 1100 call centre, Kaizala app is very big success and being appreciated across the nation.

·         E-governance is given major thrust as the visionary leader CBN strongly believe that only technology can capture the data, analyze, and identify the shortfalls against performance indicators. The command control system, real time governance being put into action by CBN into use is appreciated by international leaders and attracted the attention of president of India and host of other leaders.   

·         Despite severe financial constraints the largest crop loan waiver announced as election promise is being fulfilled in phased manner and gained the confidence of farmers.

Much needed support:

We are sure the state will be benefited enormously from a leader with determination and uncompromising vision. AP is lucky to have him at helm affairs at this most difficult period.

Being a leader with global understanding and with vision ahead of times, CBN will come with ideas which his council of ministers and bureaucrats may not visualize. It is essential for the team to understand the vision of CM, internalize, develop plans with justification and put them into action for the long term benefit of the state.

For example the projected  land requirement of land for Vizag new airport, road width of Anantapur to Amaravathi, Land for Vijayawada airport, ORR around CRDA are reflections of futuristic vision of CBN and it is essential for his support team to understand the good intentions behind it and come forward to implement the same.  

LEADERS WILL COME AND GO. SELECTIVE FEW LEADERS WITH VISION LIKE CBN WILL FIND PERMANANT PLACE IN HEART OF PEOPLE AND REMEMBERED FOR EVER FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SOCIETY.

B Guruva Reddy- 9866889246

grbonthu@gmail.com