Chandrababu Naidu: Kingmaker Who Became MLA At 28, Transformed Hyderabad Into IT Hub
Chandrababu Naidu's political journey, which began as a student leader, has seen him rise to the heights of power and emerge as a significant ‘kingmaker’ on the national stage.
Naidu's political journey, which began as a student leader, has seen him rise to the heights of power and emerge as a significant ‘kingmaker’ on the national stage.
Early Political Career
Naidu's political journey began during his student days at Sri Venkateswara University, where he was actively involved in student unions while pursuing his Master's degree. In 1975, he joined the Indian Youth Congress, quickly ascending to become the president of its local chapter in Pulicherla.
His early political activities were marked by his support for Sanjay Gandhi during the Emergency period.
Naidu's formal political career took off in 1978 when, benefiting from the Congress party's youth quota, he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Chandragiri constituency. At 28, he became the youngest MLA at the time and, by 30, had become a minister in Andhra Pradesh.
NTR & Entry Into TDP
During his stint as an MLA and minister, Chandrababu Naidu got close to the legendary actor and politician N.T. Rama Rao (NTR). In 1981, Naidu married NTR's daughter Bhuvaneswari.
Naidu's political fortunes changed when NTR founded the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982. Naidu initially contested against TDP but soon switched allegiance, joining the TDP and becoming its general secretary by 1986.
Chandrababu Naidu's First Term As Chief Minister
A pivotal moment in Naidu's career came in 1995 when he led a political coup against his father-in-law NTR, who was grooming his second wife, Lakshmi Parvathi, as his political successor.
With the backing of the majority of TDP legislators, Naidu successfully ousted NTR and took over as Chief Minister on September 1, 1995. He immediately set about transforming Hyderabad into a hub for the software industry.
Second Term and Assassination Attempt
Naidu's leadership was reaffirmed in the 1999 state elections when he led the TDP to a resounding victory, securing 180 out of 294 assembly seats.
In October 2003, he narrowly survived an assassination attempt by the Naxalite group People's War Group (PWG), escaping with minor injuries when his convoy was attacked en route to Tirumala.
Naidu’s National Political Influence
Naidu has also made his mark in national politics, playing a significant role in the 1996 Lok Sabha elections as the convenor of the United Front, which brought H.D. Deve Gowda to power after the BJP failed to prove its majority.
In 1999, he took a turn and formed a pre-poll alliance with the BJP, supporting the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Third Term & Challenge Of Bifurcation
Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, Naidu allied again with the BJP, as well as the JanaSena Party, winning 102 out of 175 seats in the newly formed state and becoming its first Chief Minister.
He then embarked on the ambitious project of building a new capital, Amaravati, near Vijayawada. However, a financial crunch hobbled the endeavour.
At the same time, the YSR Congress Party, led by Jagan Mohan Reddy — son of the late united Andhra CM Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy —gained momentum and the party undertook a padyatra against Naidu with slogan 'Bye Bye Babu'.
In the next election, the TDP faced a massive defeat.
Arrest & 2024 Victory
Naidu's political journey took a tumultuous turn in September 2023 when he was arrested in connection with an alleged multicrore scam related to the Skill Development Corporation, leading to a 53-day imprisonment in Rajahmundry jail.
This arrest, however, sparked public sympathy for him, and backlash against the ruling YSR Congress Party led by Jagan Mohan Reddy. The support from JSP chief Pawan Kalyan, who visited Naidu in jail, further set the stage for his comeback.
ALSO READ: Chandrababu Naidu Takes Oath As Andhra CM For Fourth Term
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