We did not politicise a religious issue, Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said on the alleged adulteration of ghee used in Tirupathi ladoos. In an exclusive interview to Nidhi Sharma, Naidu spoke on how the Telugu Desam Party wants modifications in the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, why he prefers to align with BJP, need to have a real time census and why he wants Indians to have more than two children. Excerpts:
How have the last three months been for governance and investments?
The last three months have been tougher than I expected. This is the fourth time I have taken oath as chief minister. But I have never faced this kind of difficulty before. It is because the entire system has collapsed and everything is in disorder.
Why haven’t you presented the Budget yet?
I wanted to present the Budget in a proper way. What is the purpose of a Budget? It is to put forward figures with clarity. I will present the Budget in the first or second week of November. It is a constitutional obligation. How can I ignore it?
You have always had good relations with the corporate sector. How difficult has it been to attract investments?
It is not a clean slate. But I have to re-establish the credibility of Andhra Pradesh. Earlier, I didn’t face this problem. In 1995, wherever I went, people would ask me where I was from. When I would say Hyderabad, they would ask ‘is Hyderabad in India or Pakistan’? At that time, Andhra Pradesh faced an identity problem. Right now, it is facing a credibility problem.
Is it a challenge that Tamil Nadu has a more robust investment environment?
All these setbacks are temporary.
Is there a target or a timeline (to improve investment environment)?
I am separating issues one-by-one. We have a clear blueprint to follow. First, we have to put our house in order. Then, we will streamline policies. I am preparing a vision document with the help of Niti Aayog. We have a lot of advantages like abundant sunlight, well-located ports. We will be following a coast-led manufacturing model.
Are you saying you will create a new Hyderabad?
Yes, we will develop Amravati like we developed Hyderabad. Our cities – Amravati, Vishakhapatnam, Tirupathi and Kurnool – will be developed as hubs.
What are your primary demands from the Centre?
I don’t want to demand. I want to work with them. Bifurcation had been a setback for Andhra Pradesh. But, the last five years have completely destroyed it and done more damage than bifurcation. We will revive the state, that’s our promise.
You left NDA in 2018. What has changed from 2018 to 2024 that made you realign with BJP?
From the beginning, BJP and TDP have been working together from 1984. In between, there have been some political gaps. But, by and large, the two parties have worked together. TDP was anti-Congress from the beginning. NTR started his momentum by creating National Front — by bringing the Left, Right and Centre together. So, if you go through history, TDP has fought against Congress from the beginning.
When the results came, Congress approached you?
No, those were just rumours.
You never considered aligning with Congress in 2024?
Never. I am very clear. You know I have credibility. In this country, I am the senior-most politician — I worked with Jyoti Basu, (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee, Biju Patnaik, Karunanidhi. I cannot change positions for the sake of power. We have certain ethics and credibility.
Where does Narendra Modi stand amongst all these leaders?
Modi is a tall leader — you can gauge by the fact that he has been elected for the third consecutive term. It is no small feat.
Does this coalition government have a coordination mechanism?
We have had 1-2 meetings after the government was formed. Let’s see how a structure is worked out.
When did you get to know about the Waqf bill?
They sounded me that a Bill will be introduced but we did not discuss the details. We need certain modifications in the Waqf Bill. These are being discussed. We understand overall improvement is required but sentiments also need to be taken into consideration.
Where do you stand on conducting a caste census?
There is nothing wrong with it. There should be a real-time census. Everybody has an Aadhaar card. All data is available. Bring in family as a unit, add caste, economic dynamics and skills in this and integrate everything. This will also bring special focus on more backward castes.
Are you struggling to implement the Super Six promises?
I am struggling and I will continue to struggle.
Are you really asking people in Andhra Pradesh to have more children?
Not just in Andhra but in India. If you see in other countries – China, Japan or Europe – there is a real problem of ageing. Right now, South India has a replacement level of 1.6. But it should increase to 2.1 for actual balancing. I used to promote population control in the 1990s and now I am promoting population management. I am now saying, less than two children you are not eligible to contest local body elections. Everyone should have more than two children. That will help India to be a global leader for hundreds of years.
Hasn’t the issue of adulteration of ghee used for Tirupathi ladoos shifted focus from your main goal of getting investments to the state?
If somebody is affecting the purity and sanctity of Hindu temples or any temple for that matter, how can I spare?
But Supreme Court was not happy…
If somebody has done something wrong, it is also the responsibility of the government to correct it. We cannot ignore it
Wasn’t this politicisation of a religious and sensitive issue?
We have to balance everybody’s sentiment. Caste is a sentiment. Religion is a sentiment. How to balance every religion is a governance issue.
Are you saying, you did not politicise the issue?
We have not politicised it. Adulteration is a governance issue. There is a belief that prasadam is made of cow ghee. If I have a proper test report and I do not divulge it, I may be questioned for hiding facts and cheating Hindus. I have my credibility. They (Supreme Court) wanted to constitute an SIT and I am very happy they have done it.
